No-Scalpel Vasectomy: An Illustrated Guide for ... - EngenderHealth

FIGURE 2.Dissecting forceps2. The dissecting forceps (Fig. 2) is similar to acurved mosquito hemostat, except that the tips aresharply pointed. It is used to puncture the scrotal skin,to spread the tissues, to dissect the sheath, and todeliver the vas deferens. The dissecting forceps can alsobe used to grasp the vas while a ligature or cautery isapplied for occlusion. Because the instrument is amodified hemostat, it can be used to control bleeding.Throughout this manual, the term dissecting forcepswill be used to refer to this instrument.Additional instruments and supplies needed for noscalpelvasectomy are:• A 10-cc syringe with a 1 1 ⁄2-inch, 25- or 27-gauge needle (U.S. system). The syringe andneedle are used to infiltrate the local anesthetic,both for the skin wheal and the vasal blockanesthesia (see Chapter 4).• Straight scissors, to cut the vasa deferentia andligatures.• Supplies for vasal occlusion (for example,ligature material or a cautery unit).Table 2 presents a complete list of instruments andsupplies needed for no-scalpel vasectomy.8 No-Scalpel Vasectomy: Illustrated Guide EngenderHealth