J Korean Androl Soc.
1997 Dec;15(2):139-142.
Microsurgical Vasovasostomy: Results During a Recent 8-Year Period
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Urology, College of Medicine, Dongguk University, Kyongju, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE:Men who had undergone vasectomy reversal at Dongguk University Hospital during a recent 8-year period were retrospectively studied to determine pregnancy rates and features associated with surgical success.
METHODS
Microsurgical vasovasostomy was done by a modified one-layer anastomosis technique in 84 men aged 27 to 47 (mean 33.6)years. The data analyzed were the vasal obstructive interval, the gross appearance of the vas fluid, and the presence or absence of sperm granuloma, as well as the pregnancy rate.
RESULTS
Spermatozoa were present in the semen of 76 men (90.5%), and pregnancy occurred in 57 couples (67.9%). The pregnancy rate was 85.7% if the vasectomy had been performed within 3 years but fell to 37.5% if 9 years or more had elapsed. The pregnancy rate was 82.6% if the vas fluid was watery, 68.1% if it was opalescent, and 42.9% if it was creamy. There was no statistically significant difference in the pregnancy rates in couples where the man did and did not have a sperm granuloma at the vasectomy site.
CONCLUSION
The success of vasovasostomy appears to be influenced. not only by the accuracy of the reapproximation of the vas, but also by the length of time that has passed since the vasectomy was performed. Failures of vasovasostomy may be attributed to anastomotic stenosis, sperm antibodies, epididymal dysfunction, or an recognized epididymal tubule blowout with sustained obstruction.
