Wednesday, March 23, 2016

By Mary Williams


Vasectomy is one of the most effective methods of birth control available for men. The procedure entails the ligation of an important conduit for sperm cells known as the vas deferens. Once this has been done, the cells can no longer be transferred into the female genital tract for fertilization to take place. To reverse vasectomy, the continuity of these conduits has to be re-established using surgery.

Microsurgical vasectomy reversal is by far the most preferred technique. It involves minimal access of the reproductive structures which not only increases the success rate of the procedure but also minimizes the associated complications. Using the microsurgical technique, the surgeon may connect the two stumps of vas deferens (vasovasostomy) or one of the stumps to the epididymis, the sperm storage site (vasoepididymostomy).

While numerous improvements have been made on the techniques that are used, failure is not uncommon. One of the reasons as to why this is the case is the fact that the vas deferens is a very small tube that is greatly affected by scarring once ligation has been done. The scar tissue has to be removed before the two stumps are re-joined. The two stumps may be of different diameters which serves to reduce success rates as well.

Before undergoing the surgery, one has to be evaluated by their urologist. Part of the evaluation includes determining that indeed the subject was fertile before the ligation of their vas deferens. The next important thing at this stage is to find out if any sperm antibodies exist within the semen. If found, the probability of ending up with a pregnancy is next to nil and assisted reproductive options should be sought.

Research has shown that success rates range between 70% and 90%. While the age is not a major determinant of who does and who does not regain fertility, the chances of success decline with time. If the reversal procedure is done within the first 3 years, there is more than 50% chance of getting a pregnancy in a fertile female. If done after 10 years, however, it reduces to as low as 30%.

Although the technique is considered safe generally, there are a number of potential risks that exist. Bleeding, surgical site infection and fluid accumulation within the scrotal sac are some of the most commonly encountered complications particularly in the immediate post-operative period. Others include blood vessel and nerve fiber injury. Rarely, patients may suffer from deep venous thrombosis (DVT) or may react to anesthesia.

The procedure itself takes between 2 and 4 hours. Regional anesthesia is used to numb the area to be operated which means that you can leave the hospital on the same day. Pain is usually mild to moderate and will allow one to resume their normal routine (including sexual activity) in about three weeks.

Fertility is an issue that affects two people; the man and the woman. If pregnancy is not achieved, both should be investigated before a diagnosis of failure is made. Fertility problems should be suspected in woman who are above thirty five years who have failed to conceive in spite of engaging in regular sexual relationships with a fertile partner.




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