2. A surgical sterilisation procedure performed in males where a segment of the vas deferens (excretory duct of the testis that conveys sperm) is removed.
3. The surgical removal of the ductus (vas) deferens, or of a portion of it; done to induce infertility or in association with a prostatectomy.
After a vasectomy, sperm cannot move out of the testes. A man who has had a vasectomy can not make a woman pregnant.
A vasectomy is sometimes called "tying the tubes".
Vasectomy is usually done in a surgeon's office under local anesthesia. The patient will be awake, but will not feel any pain. A small cut is made in the upper part of the scrotum, and the tubes (vas deferens) are tied off and cut apart. Stitches are used to close the wound.
The patient usually is able to return home as soon as the procedure is completed, and return to work the next day if the job is not physically strenuous. Full physical activity may be resumed in three to seven days.
Such surgery does not affect a man's ability to achieve orgasm, ejaculate, or have an erection. There will still be fluid (semen) in the ejaculate, but it will contain no sperm.