Page 1 - Vasectomy Reversal

Urological Health
Vasectomy reversal
Vasectomy reversal may allow return of sperm to the semen to restore a man’s fertility after
a vasectomy.
ou are considering having your vasectomy
Yreversed in order to achieve pregnancy with
your partner. Although a vasectomy is carried out
for permanent contraception (birth control), it is not
unusual for a man to request its reversal.
Sperm flows from the testicles into a long thin tube
(epididymis) which coils up around the back of
the testis. Close to the bottom of the testis the tube
becomes thicker, more muscular, and straightens
to become the vas deferens. The vas deferens
then connects to the urethra (urinary passage) and
conducts sperm at the time of ejaculation.
Vasectomy is a minor procedure in which the vas
deferens on each side of the scrotum (the “sac”)
is divided and blocked. When the vas deferens is
blocked after a vasectomy, the ejaculation fluid
(semen) is free of sperm and the egg produced by
the female cannot be fertilized to start a pregnancy.
bladder
prostate
urethra
vas deferens
epididymis
testicle
Roula Drossis
scrotum
After a vasectomy, the testicles continue to produce
sperm. The unused sperm degenerate and are
destroyed by the body. A vasectomy reversal (also
known as a vasovasostomy) aims to reconnect the
two ends of the vas deferens so that semen can
once again carry sperm. Achieving a pregnancy
after a vasectomy reversal may be more difficult
than before the vasectomy due to a number of
factors. In some cases, scarring of the vas deferens or
epididymis, or changes in sperm quality may occur
after the vasectomy. The longer the interval from the
vasectomy to its reversal, the less likely a pregnancy
can be achieved.
Success rates for vasectomy reversal vary depending
on many factors, including your partner’s fertility and
time from vasectomy. Your urologist has discussed
the potential of recovering your fertility. When the
vasectomy reversal is done within 3 years of the
vasectomy, the ability to restore sperm in your
semen is very high and the pregnancy rates are
good. However, the success of the procedure drops
significantly after 14 years. Unfortunately even though
sperm is restored in the semen this does not ensure
pregnancy.
In most provinces, vasectomy reversal is not an
insured service. The discussion with your urologist will
have included information about success rates and
costs. As well, there are alternatives to vasectomy
reversal including adoption, use of donated sperm
and assisted reproductive techniques (ART). ART may
involve sperm being taken from the testis and injected
into an ovum (egg) taken from the ovary of your
partner. The costs of ART may be considerable with
modest success rates.
The procedure
The vasectomy reversal will be carried out in a hospital
or outpatient surgical facility. Overnight hospitalization
is usually not necessary. The surgery is often done
under general anesthesia (you will be “put to sleep”)
but may also be done using local anesthetic. You
will be asked to have nothing to eat for several hours
before your surgery.
Vasectomy reversal
Before r After r After reversaleversal
Before reversaleversal
Roula Drossis Roula Drossis
Vasect Vasectomy reversalomy reversal
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