The doctor could NOT cut the 2nd tube and now I have to reschedule AGAIN! Does this really happen? Is this normal or common?

They severed and burned the left side with no problem, but then the doctor could not get the other tube to come to the surface is what I am told! She fought and sweat to "find it" or manipulate it to cut it, but NEVER could!!.
I am nervous and bummed to go through the procedure again, and she may STILL not bring it forward! I have Googled and can't find ONE instance of this ever happening!
Normal?

Answers from doctors (5)


Sometimes one side is not mobile enough to perform the procedure under local. If that is the case, anesthesia may be necessary.

Answered by Mark J. Saslawsky, MD - Southaven Office (View Profile)

Sometimes one side is not mobile enough to perform the procedure under local. If that is the case, anesthesia may be necessary.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


More About Doctor John C. McHugh, MD

Published on May 18, 2017

Yes this can happen. Every urologist who has done enough vasectomies has experienced the frustration of not being able to find one side. Of interest, if a patient has only one kidney they often times don't have a vas deferens on that side. I have made this diagnosis on many occasions with a renal ultrasound. So it is unfortunate when this happens, but it does happen. The tightness of the scrotum, the prominence of other structures the chord and the thickness of the scrotal skin all play a role in a situation where one side is more difficult than the other. Be sure to continue protected intercourse. There is a medical aphorism that goes, "If you haven't had a complication with a particular procedure...then you haven't done enough."

Answered by John C. McHugh, MD (View Profile)

Yes this can happen. Every urologist who has done enough vasectomies has experienced the frustration of not being able to find one side. Of interest, if a patient has only one kidney they often times don't have a vas deferens on that side. I have made this diagnosis on many occasions with a renal ultrasound. So it is unfortunate when this happens, but it does happen. The tightness of the scrotum, the prominence of other structures the chord and the thickness of the scrotal skin all play a role in a situation where one side is more difficult than the other. Be sure to continue protected intercourse. There is a medical aphorism that goes, "If you haven't had a complication with a particular procedure...then you haven't done enough."

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Steven K. Sterzer, MD

Published on Sep 15, 2016

This is rare but can happen. I have performed thousands of vasectomies and have had two instances in which I could not palpate the vas prior to the vasectomy, and then had a successful outcome under a general anesthetic. Rarely a very tiny diameter vas can be hidden in a large, thick spermatic cord. However, this can be determined during the consultation exam prior to scheduling the procedure.

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Answered by Steven K. Sterzer, MD

This is rare but can happen. I have performed thousands of vasectomies and have had two instances in which I could not palpate the vas prior to the vasectomy, and then had a successful outcome under a general anesthetic. Rarely a very tiny diameter vas can be hidden in a large, thick spermatic cord. However, this can be determined during the consultation exam prior to scheduling the procedure.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Jeannette M. Potts, MD

Published on Sep 14, 2016

Yes, this can happen. I would strongly recommend that you have a driver and request a valium prescription to be taken one hour prior to the procedure, or to have doctor's other choice of sedation.

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Answered by Jeannette M. Potts, MD

Yes, this can happen. I would strongly recommend that you have a driver and request a valium prescription to be taken one hour prior to the procedure, or to have doctor's other choice of sedation.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


Neil H. Baum, MD

Published on Sep 14, 2016

This can happen if there is a retracted testicle on one side making identification of the vas on that side and making it difficult to completely isolate the vas and divide to insure sterility. Unfortunate but not evidence of deviation of care. I'm sure there is an explanation if you ask the urologist.

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Answered by Neil H. Baum, MD

This can happen if there is a retracted testicle on one side making identification of the vas on that side and making it difficult to completely isolate the vas and divide to insure sterility. Unfortunate but not evidence of deviation of care. I'm sure there is an explanation if you ask the urologist.

Published on Jul 11, 2012


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