Vasectomy Reversal (Vasovasostomy)
While the intent of a vasectomy is to produce a permanent condition of male sterility, there is a microsurgical procedure that has been successful in restoring the flow of sperm through the vas deferens. This procedure is called a vasovasostomy and is done on an outpatient basis. Dr. Gorelick and Dr. Beck have had extensive microsurgical training.
A vasovasostomy involves stitching the disconnected ends of the vas deferens back together with ultra-fine sutures. This procedure uses microsurgical methods involving very fine instruments. At times, a vasoepididymostomy is performed. This involves stitching the end of the vas deferens to the epididymis (the tube draining sperm out of the testes).
Urology Associates of Danbury, P.C. enjoys excellent success rate with these procedures and have performed many vasectomy reversal procedures under the operating room microscrope. A vasectomy reversal is more significant surgery than the vasectomy and you will usually have some modest discomfort. You will need to wear a scrotal support for several weeks afterwards and excessive lifting, straining or intercourse will be prohibited for approximately six weeks following the surgery.
Our doctors may prescribe antibiotics, but they are optional and are not always necessary as it is rare that infection develops. If pain occurs, oral analgesics can effectively be prescribed.
For reasons that have not been clearly determined by medical science, it may take you a long time to see resulting sperm even when the reversal is successful. The success of the procedure cannot be judged until an entire year has passed from the surgery. However, the semen analysis is checked during this period to see at what point there is sperm and to see its quality. Many men who have a vasovasostomy (vas to vas connection) will see sperm fairly soon after the operation. Other men, especially those who have had vaso-epididymostomies may need to wait a full year.
The chances of resulting sperm in the ejaculate after a vasectomy reversal are excellent. Although this does not guarantee pregnancy, the chances of a subsequent pregnancy are still high. However, the chance of pregnancy declines with increasing time from the reversal procedure.
Keep in mind that the sperm produced from the resulting vasectomy reversal can also be used with additional assisted reproductive techniques to significantly increase the chances of a pregnancy.
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