Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 14, 2026

Optimizing the Modified No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique
04:47

Optimizing the Modified No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique

Published on: October 18, 2024

Minimizing pain during vasectomy: the mini-needle anesthetic technique

Grace Shih1, Merlin Njoya, Marylène Lessard

  • 1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA.

The Journal of Urology
|March 23, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

A new mini-needle anesthesia technique for no-scalpel vasectomy significantly reduces pain during the procedure. This method offers effective pain management with minimal equipment, improving patient comfort during vasectomy.

Area of Science:

  • Urology
  • Anesthesiology

Background:

  • No-scalpel vasectomy is a common procedure for male sterilization.
  • Effective anesthesia is crucial for patient comfort during vasectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate pain scores associated with a modified anesthesia technique for no-scalpel vasectomy.
  • To assess the efficacy of a mini-needle anesthesia approach.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 277 patients undergoing no-scalpel vasectomy.
  • Anesthesia administered using a 1-inch, 30-gauge mini-needle with 2% lidocaine.
  • Local anesthesia targeted directly to the vas at the surgical site.

Main Results:

  • Mean pain intensity during anesthesia was 1.5 ± 1.6 on a 10 cm visual analog scale.
  • Mean pain intensity during the procedure was 0.6 ± 1.0.
  • Patients reported lower-than-expected pain levels during both anesthesia and the procedure.

Conclusions:

  • The mini-needle technique provides excellent anesthesia for no-scalpel vasectomy.
  • This method offers a favorable alternative to standard vasal blocks and other anesthetic options.
  • Benefits include minimal equipment requirements and reduced anesthesia volume.

More Related Videos

A Novel Cell Injection Method with Minimum Invasion06:24

A Novel Cell Injection Method with Minimum Invasion

Published on: April 21, 2023

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery05:39

Non-Intubated Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Published on: May 26, 2023

Related Concept Videos

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia01:16

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Intravenous Regional Anesthesia

Intravenous regional anesthesia or the Bier block technique is used to anesthetize a specific limb or extremity. It uses exsanguinated or blood-drained vessels to transport local anesthetics or LAs to the peripheral nerve trunks. Lidocaine without vasoconstrictors like epinephrine is most commonly used for this technique. Other drugs used are prilocaine, ropivacaine, and chloroprocaine. Bupivacaine is not recommended for this technique due to its high cardiac toxicity.
One of the advantages of...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia01:29

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Epidural Anesthesia

Epidural anesthetics are administered in the fat-filled epidural space, the outermost part of the spinal canal. This technique is commonly employed for pain management and anesthesia during lower abdomen and pelvis surgeries or labor and delivery.
Since epidural anesthetics can be infused through an epidural catheter, all types of drugs, including short-acting ones, can be administered. Chloroprocaine and lidocaine are examples of short and long-duration anesthetics, respectively. Bupivacaine...
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia01:11

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Spinal Anesthesia

Spinal anesthetics are given during lower abdomen and limb surgeries to block sensory and motor neurons. They are administered in the mid to low lumbar regions, primarily acting on the cauda equina's nerve roots. The blockade level depends on the local anesthetic (LA) concentration. Usually, low LA concentrations are sufficient to block sensory fibers, while only high LA concentrations block motor fibers. Other factors like injection volume and speed, the patient's posture, and the drug...
Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview01:24

Parenteral Anesthetics: Overview

Intravenous anesthetics are drugs administered parenterally to induce anesthesia or sedation. Propofol is a widely used agent formulated as a 1% emulsion in soybean oil, glycerol, and egg phosphatide. It induces rapid anesthesia primarily due to its rapid distribution from the bloodstream to target tissues and is metabolized in the liver. However, it can cause significant pain on injection and hypertriglyceridemia. Fospropofol, a water-based prodrug of propofol, lacks these adverse effects.
Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia01:30

Local Anesthetics: Clinical Application as Surface, Infiltration, and Conduction Block Anesthesia

Depending on the target organ, local anesthetics (LAs) can be administered via various routes. In surface anesthesia, LAs are applied directly to the surface of the skin or mucous membranes. It is widely used for topical skin numbing before venipuncture or minor surgical procedures. Commonly used surface local anesthetics are lidocaine or benzocaine sprays or creams. Surface anesthesia occurs within 5 minutes and lasts for about 60 minutes. One of the main disadvantages of topical anesthesia is...