Vasectomy Procedure at Intramed Medical Clinic in Calgary

About Vasectomies

At Intramed Medical Centre Dr. Crouse and Dr. van der Merwe provide No-Scalpel Vasectomies. The No-Scalpel technique has been performed at the clinic since 2002 and both doctors believe it to be a quick, effective and comfortable method.

No-scalpel vasectomies at our clinic provide a safe and virtually painless alternative to conventional vasectomy using a scalpel. Studies show that no-scalpel vasectomies have a complication rate eight times lower than conventional approaches and involve less discomfort.

Intramed Medical Centre is a Canadian leader in the introduction of the no-scalpel vasectomy procedure. Our surgical team has world-class training and support, and we are proud to operate at a high standard of care.

Please contact us for a consultation today if you are considering a vasectomy. You are in good hands with our doctors and Intramed, where we perform between 2000 and 3000 vasectomies annually. Our team of doctors has over 40 years of combined experience performing vasectomies.

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What is Different About a No-Scalpel Vasectomy?

No-scalpel vasectomy is different from a conventional vasectomy in the way the doctor gets to the tubes, not in the way he blocks them. An improved method of local anesthesia helps make the procedure virtually painless.

In a conventional vasectomy, after the scrotum has been numbed with a local anesthetic, the doctor makes two cuts in the skin and lifts out each tube in turn, cutting and blocking them. Then, the doctor stitches the cuts closed. The third image below (far right) shows the incision and stitches with a conventional vasectomy procedure – different from our no-scalpel technique.

In a no-scalpel vasectomy, the doctor locates the tubes under the skin and holds them in place with a small clamp. Instead of making two incisions, the doctor makes one tiny puncture with a special instrument. The same instrument is used to gently stretch the opening so the tubes can be reached. This line accurately represents the actual size of the puncture. (I) Through this tiny opening both tubes are temporarily lifted out and then blocked using heat cauterization.

The first image below (at left) shows how the vas tubes are accessed via the small opening. The centre image gives you an idea of the actual size of the cut that will be made during your no-scalpel vasectomy. The third image is just shown so you can compare the no-scalpel technique with the cuts made for a conventional vasectomy.

No-scalpel procedure: Pulling out one of the two vas tubes

No-scalpel procedure: No stitches are needed to close the tiny opening

Conventional vasectomy: Two moderate incisions stitched closed.

Ensuring Sterilization – Fascial Interposition

Our doctors also carry out what many studies describe as a crucial step called fascial interposition. This step involves tying the sheath or covering of the vas over one end of the cut tube with a dissolving thread to create a natural barrier between the two cut ends. This is an additional insurance that sperm will not be able to get into your semen after vasectomy. Not only is the vas tube blocked by heat cauterization, but it is also covered with a protective sheath.

Fascial interposition can be carried out using titanium metal clips which are left permanently in the scrotum, or with dissolvable thread. Dr. Crouse’s and Dr. van der Merwe’s preferences are to use the dissolvable thread so as not to leave any foreign bodies in the scrotum.

The fine tubes are then gently placed back into the scrotum, and the tiny opening heals within days and soon becomes invisible.

With the no-scalpel technique, there is very little bleeding. No stitches are needed to close the tiny opening, which heals quickly without a scar.

Benefits of No-Scalpel Male Vasectomy

Studies have shown an eight times lower complication rate, quicker healing, and less intra-operative discomfort for a no-scalpel vasectomy compared to the more conventional approach.

We feel that it is preferable to do a vasectomy through a tiny central opening versus making larger cuts requiring sutures and a more complex recovery. No-scalpel vasectomy is fast and relatively painless.

We offer virtually painless no-scalpel vasectomy with thorough follow-up and 24 hour access to our doctor.

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Vasectomy Basics – How Does Vasectomy Prevent Pregnancy?

Sperm are made in a man’s testes. During sexual climax, the sperm travels through two tubes (the right vas and left vas) in the scrotum, mix with semen (from the prostate and seminal vesicles), and come out of the penis. In a vasectomy, these tubes are blocked so the sperm cannot reach the semen. As a result, you will ejaculate semen without sperm.

A man cannot make his partner pregnant without sperm.

Also, keep in mind that the sperm makes up a minute portion of the ejaculate, approximately 1% of the volume. Therefore, you will not notice any change in the ejaculation post-vasectomy.

Your sexual experience, erections, performance, and ejaculations are essentially unchanged. The only change is: No more sperm, no more pregnancy!

To understand what happens during a No-Scalpel Vasectomy procedure, review this diagram to see how the male anatomy normally functions. The testicles produce sperm that travel through a pair of tubes called the Vas Deferens. You can easily feel them through the scrotal skin, like firm spaghetti-sized tubes on either side of the penis. These tubes carry sperm from the testicles out through the penis.

The vasectomy procedure simply interrupts the flow of sperm by cutting the sperm tubes and blocking their ends. Before making the decision to have your NSV, please review the preparations, procedure, and recovery to see what you can expect from start to finish.

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Open-Ended Vasectomy in Calgary

Our doctor performs an “Open-Ended” vasectomy technique, where the vas tube from the bottom end is left open (uncauterized), while the end of the tube leading to the penis is cauterized.

As detailed above, fascial interposition is also performed to ensure the success of your vasectomy.

While studies are not conclusive, it is postulated that leaving one end open may permit sperm to leak out, resulting in less post-operative discomfort; this is because there is no sudden pressure back-up to the testicles.

The leakage does not increase risk of pregnancy, as the other end of the vas is sealed.

Sperm are simply reabsorbed back into the testicles in a natural process that causes no pain or pressure.

Studies also indicate that it reduces the time it takes for a vasectomy, and vasectomy reversal may also be easier to perform later, if desired.

We do not recommend getting a vasectomy if you think you may eventually want a reversal. You should consider vasectomy as a permanent contraceptive method.

At the Calgary Intramed Medical Centre our doctor is able to maintain our high success rates while also offering the potential benefits of an Open-Ended vasectomy.

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Possible Risks and Complications with a Vasectomy Procedure

There are no life-threatening complications associated with NSV (No-Scalpel Vasectomies). The minor complications that can arise are generally short-lived and resolve with ice, rest, anti-inflammatories, and time. Long term safety with NSV is considered excellent, although all of the following are possible:

Mild discomfort: Some men report a mild aching sensation to the scrotum for a few hours to a few days after the procedure.
Vasovagal reaction is a reaction where in rare cases men feel faint for a few minutes after the procedure. While most men can drive themselves home after the procedure, it is highly recommended to come with a driver.
Mild bleeding into the scrotum (1/400): May form a small tender swelling for a few days.
Scrotal hematoma (1/1000): A major bleed into the scrotum causing a grapefruit size tender scrotum which may take months to heal.
Infection (1/500): May present as redness and tenderness at the healing site opening or non specific tenderness within the scrotum, which may require oral antibiotics. (More serious infection is possible i.e. abscess formation that may require intravenous antibiotics 1/1000).
Epididymitis (1/100): Tender swelling of the epididymis, the tube connecting the vas deferens and the testes.
Sperm granuloma (1/500): A small, potentially uncomfortable, bead-like structure made of leaked sperm that may develop at the site where the tube was cut and blocked.
Post Vasectomy Pain Syndrome (1/1000): A rare complication of a persisting dull ache in the testicle where the inflammation does not settle down. It may resolve on its own or may need another surgical procedure.
Failure (less than 1/1000): Because one or both tubes have rejoined.
Re-canalization is a rare outcome for men who develop a channel for sperm flow after a vasectomy, which may result in failure of the procedure. This can occur during the healing phase (1/1000) and rarely months to years later (1 in many thousands).
Reactive hydrocele (1/10,000): A swelling in the scrotum that occurs when fluid collects in the thin sheath surrounding a testicle.

Does a Vasectomy Hurt?

With our no-scalpel technique the pain is minimized. You will likely have some aching or other minor discomfort in the day or two after your surgery. Still, you can be sure that our gentle vasectomy procedure ensures a positive outcome with the least amount of pain.

It will only hurt a little bit – and not during the procedure.

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Laser Vasectomy in Calgary?

Laser vasectomy is not a real medical procedure. We are not aware of any vasectomy doctors in Calgary, in Alberta, or anywhere, that offer laser vasectomy.

Sometimes, no-scalpel vasectomy is confused with laser vasectomy. Some people may assume that when no scalpel is used, a laser may be the tool applied to the operation – but this is not the case.

As detailed above, our method involves the use of specialized instruments that obviate the need for scalpels. During the no-scalpel vasectomy procedure, the traditional scalpel is replaced with devices for puncturing a small hole and holding men’s vas tubes.

Laser Vasectomy Doesn’t Exist

The scalpel-less vasectomy method used by Dr. Crouse and Dr. van der Merwe at Intramed Medical Centre is the most modern, comfortable, and effective vasectomy method available today.

Lasers are not used for vasectomy – but if a good laser vasectomy technique is developed, an Intramed vasectomy clinic will examine its potential benefits relative to our current methods.