Ask the Doctor

From “Sorenut FL”:-
I had a no scalpel vasectomy in 2002. I’m 51 yrs old. I had clips, and I believe also, cut and cauterized. Geez, I left out scattered and dismembered! My left testicle feels like it’s being squeezed in a vise. It’s been about a month now, and the pain comes and goes. Lessens when standing or laying down, worse when sitting. I had the same problem about 2 years ago, off and on for a month, then completely disappeared. I had forgotten it happened. My buddy had it done by same doctor before I did, and he had same problem a few years ago. The doctor told him they don’t use clips anymore. I just went yesterday, and the same doctor told me everyone uses clips, never stopped. So now I’m wondering what’s going on, because he’s lying to one of us. He checked me out, no inflammation, no hernia, everything looks fine, and I’m having an ultrasound tomorrow. Any ideas?

The type of ligature or clips used for a vasectomy procedure has no relevance to post vasectomy pain. The pain is not caused by any certain type of material used but more so by the technique of the vasectomy procedure. If the vasectomy was done low on the vas deferens or some nerves are entrapped during the procedure this can cause post-operative pain irrespective of the type of suture or clips used. A physical exam and ultrasound of the scrotum is important to rule out other possible causes of testicular pain after a vasectomy. If the examination and ultrasound are unremarkable, treatment for post vasectomy pain should be sought.