http://www.PreOp.com & http://PostCare.com Patient Education Company Your doctor has recommended that you undergo a Vasectomy. But what exactly does that mean? Vasectomy is a surgical procedure that serves as birth control by permanently cutting off the flow of sperm to the penis. In adult males, sperm is continually produced in the testicles, or testis. Both testicles are contained in the scrotum - a pouch of loose skin that hangs outside the body, below the penis. Young sperm mature and are stored in the epididymis, a small structure at the rear of each testicle. When the male experiences sexual climax, a pair of muscular tubes called the vas deferens transport sperm away from the epididymis. As the sperm moves towards the penis, it enters the seminal vesicle where it mixes with the seminal secretions. These are the fluids that make up the major component of the semen that finally reaches the penis and is ejaculated. The Vasectomy procedure prevents sperm cells from reaching the seminal vesicle by cutting both vas deferens near the testicles. But because the procedure does not interfere with the production of semen in the seminal vesicle, men who undergo a successful vasectomy are still able to ejaculate - though their semen will no longer contain sperm cells. So make sure that you ask your doctor to carefully explain the reasons behind this recommendation. Your Procedure: On the day of your operation, you will be asked to put on a surgical gown. You may receive a sedative by mouth and an intravenous line may be put in. You will then be transferred to the operating table. Your doctor may have asked you to shave or clip your genital region before arriving for the procedure. If not, a nurse will shave or clip the area for you. The surgical area will then be swabbed with an antiseptic solution and you will receive an anesthetic injection. To begin, your penis will be flipped upward and laid against your abdomen, exposing the scrotum. Next, your doctor will make a small vertical incision through the skin and muscle directly above the vas deferens. The team will gently open the incision to expose the vas. Then, using two small clamps, your doctor will close off both ends of a small section of the tube. Your doctor will carefully remove this section and will close off the open ends of the two remaining tubes. The incision will then be closed with sutures. Finally, your doctor will perform the exact same procedure on the vas deferens passing through the other side of the scrotum. Patient Education Company Hand Washing: Germs are present always on your hands and they can be transferred to: * other parts of your own body, * to the family member for whom you are caring * your patient * and to any clean object that you touch. By washing your hands correctly: * you remove germs from your hands. * Handwashing is the single most important way you can prevent infection from occurring and * prevent the spread of infection. You must carefully wash and dry your hands: * Before and after each time you care for your family member or your patient. * Before and after you handle your patient's and your own food and drink. * Before and after you manipulate any contact lenses. * Before you apply and after you remove gloves * After you use the toilet. * After you cough, sneeze or blow your nose. * After contact with anything that could be soiled or have germs on it. * After you pick up any object from the floor * Handwashing takes a minimum of 10-15 seconds, * longer if your hands are soiled. * The longer you wash, the more germs are removed. * The friction generated by rubbing your hands together removes the germs from your skin and * running water can then wash them away * Every time you wash your hands, take your time and don't rush. * Do the handwashing carefully and thoroughly. Gloving: Your correct use of disposable, non-sterile gloves * helps prevent the spread of infection and * protects both you, the caregiver, and * the person receiving care, your patient. The gloves used most often are made of latex, are powder-free and are easy to put on and take off. They are used once only and then discarded. Gloves are not worn all the time when giving care. Touching your patient with bare hands: * shows love and respect, * sends a message of caring and acceptance, * and provides comfort. Gloves should always be worn if contact is likely to occur with: * blood * body fluids * excretions such as urine or feces * mucous membranes such as in the mouth or genitalia * or non-intact skin.

• published: 03 Oct 2013
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