Vasectomy Reversal
Approximately five percent of men who have undergone a vasectomy will elect to reverse the procedure during the course of their lifetime. The reasons for doing so vary. For many, a change in life goals or circumstances results in the desire to have children. If you are such an individual, know that pregnancy after vasectomy is possible. The experienced micro surgeons of Academic Urology and Urogynecology of Arizona restore the flow of sperm from the epididymis to the seminal fluid using one of two microsurgical vasectomy reversal techniques: vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy.
What's Right For You: Vasovasostomy or Vasoepididymostomy?
The doctors of Academic Urology and Urogynecology of Arizona will not make a decision as to what procedure to perform until the vas deferens are opened and the fluid within is evaluated under a microscope. If the fluid is clear containing motile sperm, a vasovasostomy will be performed. During this procedure, the disconnected ends of the vas deferens are carefully aligned and sutured back together to restore the flow of sperm. In the event that sperm is not detected or only partial sperm is evident, a blockage is likely, in which case a vasoepididymostomy is performed. In this variation of the vasectomy reversal procedure, blockage(s) are bypassed by connecting the vas deferens directly to the epididymis.
Before & After Surgery: Pre-operative Considerations & Post-Operative Results
Before a vasectomy reversal, patients will undergo a physical examination. If there is a question as to whether or not a man can produce healthy sperm, a testicular biopsy may be required. During such a procedure, a needle is inserted into the testicles and fluid removed and evaluated to confirm the production of sperm. Beyond personal health considerations, men desiring a vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy should also consider the age and fertility of their partner to determine if pregnancy is likely or possible.
Side effects of surgery are typically mild with little chance of severe complication. As for reversal success, rates are dependent upon many factors, including the number of years since a vasectomy was performed and the skill of the micro surgeon. Though a reversal can be performed years after vasectomy, chances of restoring the vas channel and pregnancy are higher if a reversal is performed within 15 years of the original procedure. Click on the links below for additional information on the vasectomy reversal procedures:
