Vas deferens occlusion during no-scalpel vasectomy

The increasing popularity of the no-scalpel vasectomy (NSV) technique in the United States is driven by patient demand for surgical procedures presumed to be less invasive and by the somewhat lower complication rate of the NSV technique. The NSV technique addresses vasal delivery but not vasal occlusion. Intraluminal red-hot wire cautery with sheath closure over the inguinal end of the cut vas (Schmidt's method) has the lowest failure rate of all reasonable vas occlusion methods. The anatomical relationships of scrotal layers can be unclear during the NSV technique. Accurate identification of the sheath layer is critical to sheath interruption if this method of occlusion is to be used. Placement of an absorbable purse-string suture for sheath interruption during the NSV procedure is described. Special attention must be given to placement of one suture bite in the deep (posterior) sheath wall. The vasal occlusion technique described in this paper blends a refined method of vasal delivery (NSV) with the most effective method of vasal occlusion (cautery with sheath interruption).