What you need to know about having a vasectomy

Transcription

1 University Teaching Trust What you need to know about having a vasectomy Urology Hope Building All Rights Reserved Document for issue as handout.

2 What is a vasectomy? A vasectomy is an operation for male contraception that should be viewed as irreversible, where the vas deferens or the tube which carries the sperm is cut and the ends tied off. You should understand that the operation does not work immediately and that it takes about 16 weeks for the sperm to disappear, therefore you must use alternative contraception until your doctor confirms that the procedure has been a success. If you have any doubt about whether it is the right option for you, you should not go ahead with the procedure. What are the alternatives to a vasectomy? Other forms of male and female contraception. How you can prepare for your vasectomy? If you are taking any antiplatelet medications (such as aspirin or clopidogrel) or anticoagulant medication (such as warfarin or rivaroxaban) then you may need to stop them temporarily before the procedure. You should discuss this with the clinician at your initial consultation. You should bath or shower prior to coming to hospital but please don t shave the scrotum before your procedure as this can increase the risk of infection. Will I be asleep for the operation? Your vasectomy will be performed under a local anaesthetic which means you will remain awake throughout the procedure. The local anaesthetic is injected into a small area of skin on either side of the scrotum above the testicles. It can be uncomfortable when the local anaesthetic is injected but the injection numbs the skin quickly. The local anaesthetic cannot however make the procedure completely painless, and you may experience a variable degree of discomfort. What are the risks? l Very occasionally the vasectomy can fail. This occurs in approximately 1 man in every 2,000 l With any surgery there is always the risk of developing some bruising (or haematoma) after the operation. This may just occur locally at the site of your operation but on rare occasions there may be bleeding into the scrotal sac itself. Very rarely a patient may need to go to the operating theatre to have the clot removed l A small number of men develop a wound infection after the operation which may require antibiotics l A small number of men (5%) can experience long term scrotal discomfort after this operation. 1 2

3 What are the benefits? This is a permanent and very effective form of contraception; there is no permanent alternative for men. The procedure should be regarded as irreversible. Although a vasectomy reversal procedure can be undertaken, this is not always effective in restoring fertility and vasectomy reversal is not usually funded by the NHS. What happens during the procedure? After the local anaesthetic injection, a small cut is made in the skin on each side of the scrotum. The incisions allow your surgeon to access the tubes that carry sperm out of your testicles. These tubes are known as vas deferens. A section of the vas deferens will be carefully pulled out through the small incision. Each tube is cut, a small section removed, the ends closed by tying them and then gently placed back into your scrotum. The scrotal incisions are closed with dissolvable stitches, which will disappear naturally within about two to three weeks. The procedure takes between 15 to 30 minutes. What happens when I attend on the day of the vasectomy? You will be given an appointment time to attend the Urology Outpatient Department, on the day of your surgery. At your initial clinic consultation you will have been assessed and examined by a member of the Urology team. The operation will have been explained including; the benefits, risks and alternatives. During the consultation you will have been given the opportunity to discuss any concerns and ask any questions you may have before signing the consent form. By obtaining your consent we are asking you to confirm that you understand the risks, benefits and possible alternatives to the procedure and have given your permission for it to go ahead. We will confirm your consent on the day of the procedure and answer any remaining questions. What do I need to bring with me? Please bring: 1. A list of the current medicines you are taking 2. Supportive well fitting underwear What happens after the operation? Once the surgery has been undertaken the nurse will perform some post-operative checks. Provided these are satisfactory and you are feeling well enough you will be allowed home. What happens after I am discharged? The local anaesthetic will wear off after a couple of hours and you may experience some mild discomfort for 2-3 days after the procedure. This can usually be relieved by taking simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen. After the procedure we recommend that you wear close fitting underwear (or the scrotal support provided) to support your scrotum and minimise any discomfort or swelling. How soon can I drive? It isn t necessary but we recommend that you arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure. This is to avoid any unnecessary movement or pressure on the surgical site caused by driving. You should not drive until you feel comfortable and can safely undertake an emergency stop. 3 4

4 How do I look after the wound? It is important to keep the wound clean, however the wound should be kept dry for 24 hours after the procedure then you should shower daily. Please avoid baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until the stitches have dissolved. Ensure you dry the scrotum gently and thoroughly. Please keep the area clean and dry to allow the wound to heal. Wound dressings may be removed 24-48hrs after the procedure. Your stitches are dissolvable and therefore don t need removing. They can take up to four weeks to dissolve, if they haven t dissolved by then you must ask your GP or practice nurse to remove them. Minor swelling or bruising is normal after a vasectomy, however if you experience heavy bleeding or if the scrotum becomes excessively swollen, bruised, hot/red or produces a discharge then you may have an infection; please see your GP. When can I resume work? Following your procedure we recommend that you rest for the remainder of the day. You should be fit to return to work 2-3 days after the procedure however this will depend on the nature of your work. Please discuss this with the clinician prior to leaving the department. Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise for one week after the operation. When can I have sex? You may resume sexual intercourse whenever you feel comfortable. However please be aware that you are not sterile immediately after the operation so you must use another form of contraception until you have received the results of your semen tests. You may notice some blood in your semen after the first couple of ejaculations. This is not unusual and is just residual blood from the procedure. How will I know if the operation has worked? You must provide two semen samples at 12 and 16 weeks after the vasectomy. You will need to take the specimen to the laboratory on the second floor, Turnberg Building, red area, Salford Royal between 9am and 4pm. You will be informed of the results by post. Until then you should continue to use some form of contraception. If you have not heard within one month of providing the samples then you should phone your consultant s secretary. Do I need to be seen again? An outpatient appointment is not routinely arranged. A discharge letter will be sent to your G.P. What if I any having further problems? If you have any problems, you can contact: Urology Outpatient during clinic hours Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm Out of clinic hours, Ward H address urology.appointments@srft.nhs.uk 5 6

5 G W. Design Services Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust All Rights Reserved This document MUST NOT be photocopied. Information Leaflet Control Policy: Unique Identifier: SURG 09 (17) Review Date: March 2019 University Teaching Trust For further information on this leaflet, it s references and sources used, please contact Copies of this information are available in other languages and formats upon request. If you need this interpreting please telephone In accordance with the Equality Act we will make reasonable adjustments to enable individuals with disabilities, to access this treatment / service. InterpretationandTrans@srft.nhs.uk Under the Human Tissue Act 2004, consent will not be required from living patients from whom tissue has been taken for diagnosis or testing to use any left over tissue for the following purposes: clinical audit, education or training relating to human health, performance assessment, public health monitoring and quality assurance. If you object to your tissue being used for any of the above purposes, please inform a member of staff immediately. Salford Royal operates a smoke-free policy. For advice on stopping smoking contact the Hospital Specialist Stop Smoking Service on Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester, M6 8HD Telephone If you would like to become a Foundation Trust Member please visit: for-members If you have any suggestions as to how this document could be improved in the future then please visit: for-patients