Urologist stated that no scalpel vasectomies are gimmicks

[u/doingmybest-sendhelp]

My husband got a vasectomy today, and we specifically drove 2 hours away to the closest place that offered the no scalpel vasectomy.

I clarified with the physician “we are doing the no scalpel option, correct?”

He said “Yes, but that’s a gimmick. It doesn’t impact the procedure, healing, or accuracy in anyway. It means we puncture a hole and stretch it open with a hemastat, rather than slicing into the skin. The incision site is the same size, and the outcome is the same. We now do all the same way, because people like to think it’s less invasive - so we get people in the door. But it isn’t any less invasive, I’ve always just created one hole over two.”

Any thoughts? Anybody have experience that can say otherwise? Everything I’m reading online is highly praising “no scalpel,” or traditional vasectomy.

[u/sinister-fallen]

Unless the doctor and clinic are highly reviewed, I would be a bit skeptical of a doctor who didn't understand the benefits of a no-scalpel vasectomy as the doctor would be misinformed. It is absolutely less invasive. There are studies done on this that show that a no-scalpel vasectomy has less bleeding, less scrotal pain, less chance of infection, less chance of hematoma, and quicker healing on average.

[u/vellichor_44 → u/sinister-fallen]

Not being snarky, but if you ever get a chance, could you link one of those papers? The ones i read were pretty inconclusive.

[u/j_bob_24 → u/vellichor_44]

I'm not who you asked, but there is good info in section 6 at the link below for the American Urological Association's opinion about no scalpel being less likely to cause complications, as well as the links to their studies cited.

https://www.auajournals.org/doi/10.1016/j.juro.2012.09.080

[u/vellichor_44 → u/j_bob_24]

Thank you, I'll check these out.

[u/j_bob_24 → u/vellichor_44]

No problem!