Family Planning Options
How is the Pro-Vas procedure different from having a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is usually performed in a doctor's office. The patient remains awake as local anesthetic is injected into the scrotum. A tiny incision or a sharp instrument pierces and opens the scrotal tissue (no scalpel) into one side of the scrotum. One vas deferens is located and drawn through the opening and clamped at two sites close to each other. The tube segment between the clamps is then cut and removed (about ½ inch). The two remaining tube ends are then sutured, clipped and sealed by electrically burning them. After closing off the tube, the vas deferens is gently placed back into the scrotum. The procedure is then repeated on the other vas deferens.
The Pro-Vas procedure is very similar to a traditional vasectomy up to a point. The difference is that when the vas deferens is drawn through the scrotum, the tube is not clamped in two places and cut. With Pro-Vas the tube remains intact with just the clip placed onto it. Then the tube is placed into the scrotum. The clip remains on the tube, inside your scrotum with scar tissue developing around it within days of implantation.
| The Procedure | Procedure Time | Recovery Time | Reliance & Test | Reversibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro-Vas | The vas deferens tubes, one from each testicle, are ligated or clamped in one place by the Pro-Vas clip |
15-20 min |
1-2 days |
Reliance can begin at 3 months when a follow-up sperm count confirms no sperm evident |
There is no data available for the reversibility of Pro-Vas |
| Vasectomy | The vas deferens tubes, one from each testicle, are tied in two places with permanent sutures, surgical clips or both. The tubes are cut with surgical scissors or a scalpel between the sutures or clips. The tube's end is sealed by cauterization (burning) |
20-30 min |
2-3 days |
Same |
Most vasectomy studies indicate that there is a success rate of approximately 80-85% |
| Female Tubal Ligation | Usually performed as a laparascopic procedure, under general anesthesia. Gas is used to expand the abdomen so surgical tools can be inserted. The fallopian tubes are blocked by one of these methods:
Stitches or staples are used to close the cuts |
30-45 min |
4-6 days |
No immediate test to confirm success 99.45% at one year |
There are studies regarding reversibility of female tubal ligation that maintain increased reversal success rates with lower incidences of fallopian tube destruction |
