This video demonstrates a laparoscopic vasectomy in a juvenile Yellow-breasted Capuchin (Cebus xanthosternos) weighing 1.1kg, using a 3mm paediatric instruments. This animal was a brother-sister progeny, but was needed as a companion for another individual.

Traditional vasectomies in primates are prone to wound interference, dehiscence and delayed healing, and may need individuals to be separated from the group, interrupting the normal social structure. This minimally invasive abdominal technique (in this case despite the very small size of the individual, only taking less than 12 minutes operating time), has the benifit of allowing reintroduction to the group only a couple of hours after surgery, no need for excercise restriction or separation from the group, smaller wounds (3mm) and no wound interference. This individual was back in the social group and interacting normally within 2 hours.

First published Thu, Sep 16 2010