MFS Fertility Blog

Vasectomy Reversal Offers Promising Success Rates

Posted on January 6, 2014 in Vasectomy Reversal

For some men, the notion that their vasectomies can be reversed may be brand new information that's worthy of speculation. Vasectomies, by definition are performed in order to render a man sterile. When a vasectomy is performed, the vasa deferens of the individual is cut and then sealed so as to prevent sperm from entering the seminal stream. Every year, over half a million men in the United States get a vasectomy, and the procedure used to be fairly difficult to have reversed. The vasa deferentia are quite small, and surgically reconnecting them was once a pretty intricate and difficult procedure. However, with the advent of newer technology and techniques,reversing a vasectomy is no longer the finger-crossing procedure it once was.

A vasovasostomy is a surgical procedure that reverses a man's previous vasectomy. There are a wide range of reasons an individual may have for wanting to reverse their vasectomy – splitting up with a partner or the death of a partner are just two of them. Simply having a change of heart or a change in finances are others. Whatever a man's reason for wanting a vasectomy reversal may be, it's important that he be well-informed of exactly what occurs during a vasovasostomy and the likelihood of success post-procedure.

As stated previously, a vasectomy procedure requires the vasa deferens to be cut and sealed in order to prevent a man's sperm from entering the seminal stream – during a vasovasostomy segments of vas deferens are reconnected, which allows sperm to enter the seminal stream once again and fertility is restored. The success rates for vasectomy reversals can vary - there are a few factors that can affect the success of a vasovasostomy. These factors include: the amount of time that has passed since the original vasectomy, an individual's overall health, the presence of scar tissue, if any complications took place during the vasectomy reversal, and if the location of the original vasectomy was close to the testicle.

If any of the above conditions are applicable to a man's original vasectomy, then a more complex procedure may be required – a vasoepididymostomy. A vasoepididymostomy requires that the vas deferens be connected once more, but this time to the epididymis; this procedure allows the surgeon to bypass the original vasectomy obstruction.

Regardless of whether an individual will require a vasovasostomy or a vasoepididymostomy, the fact remains that vasectomy reversals are possible. If a male individual finds that he is in a position in which he wishes to have children of his own after a vasectomy, there are options available to him that offer promising success rates. For instance, Dr. Bastuba, of Male Fertility & Sexual Medicine Specialists has a 98% success rate in regard to vasectomy reversals. 

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