A word about... Vasectomy Reversal

People frequently ask me what their chances of a successful vasectomy reversal are. The answer lies in two variables. One of them is the length of time since the vasectomy was performed. The other is the length of leftover vas. It appears that if there is a long segment of vas, the pressure generated by the testicles in producing spermatozoa is distributed over a large volume, therefore taking the pressure off of the little gland on the back of the testicles called the epididymis. This length of leftover vas can usually be determined at the time of the physical examination.

The following video clip is of an actual surgical procedure for a vasectomy reversal.
Please choose one of the clips that best suits your internet access.

In order to determine the relationship between the first variable, the length of time since the vasectomy was performed, I reviewed my last 70 vasectomy reversal attempts outlined in the table below. In the first column you'll find the number of years since the vasectomy was performed ranging from 1.5 to 28. In a few of these patients the surgery was not their first attempt at reconstruction. This is noted as a "revision" in the second column.

The third column gives the results. You'll note that many patients have all ready "delivered". Where a number is given, this is the sperm density in million per milliliter, noted on semen analysis. You should know that a normal semen analysis is considered 60 million sperm per milliliter or greater. However, we see pregnancies frequently with sperm counts greater than 20 million. Those with sperm counts between zero and 20 million may need help either by artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.

This information should help you in your decision to proceed with a vasectomy reversal.

NOTES: (G) - How many times Pregnant (P) How many times Delivered. Ex: 41/G1 - (wife is 41 years of age with 1 pregnancy) (AZO) - No sperm in semen. (GO) - Never been pregnant.

# of Years	Revision / First Time?	Age of Husband	Age of Wife (G)*	Results	Additional Procedures
0.75	yes	47	41/G1	.	.
1.5	yes	.	33/G2	.	.
2	yes	.	.	delivered	.
3	yes	.	.	delivered	.
3	yes	.	.	35 million	.
3	yes	50	37	delivered	.
3	yes	39	.	delivered	.
3	yes	30	26/G2	35 million	.
4	yes	.	.	pregnant	.
4	yes	.	.	28 million	.
4	yes	.	.	6 million	.
4	yes	.	.	Azo	.
4	yes	37	G2	motile sperm	.
5	yes	.	.	71 million	went azo then revised and delivered
5	yes	38	36	37 million	.
5	yes	36	33	delivered	.
5	yes	38	31/G0	10 million	.
6	yes	.	.	.	.
6	.	38	27	2 million	.
6	yes	41	28/G0	108 million	bilateral V-E
7	yes	.	.	delivered	.
7	no	.	.	210 million	.
7	.	.	.	18 million	.
7	yes	30	25	.	.
7	yes	39	23/G2-P0	Azo	.
8	yes	.	.	Azo	.
8	yes	.	.	delivered	.
8	yes	.	.	pregnant	.
8	yes	.	.	78 million	.
8	yes	.	.	13 million	.
8	.	35	.	22 million	.
8	.	53		delivered	.
8	.	39	35	.	.
8	.	.	.	motile sperm	.
9	.	.	.	.	.
9	.	42	39	.	.
9	yes	53	40/G0	4 million	.
10	yes	.	.	delivered	.
10	yes	.	.	pregnant	.
10	yes	.	.	34 million	.
10	yes	.	.	73 million	.
10	yes	34	25/G0	13 million	.
10	yes	36	27/Go	sperm seen	.
10	yes	40	35/G1	1 million	.
11	yes	.	.	Azo	.
11	yes	.	.	pregnant	.
11	yes	.	.	.	.
11	yes	40	34/G1	26 million	.
12	yes	43	.	.	.
13	yes	.	.	Azo	.
13	yes	.	.	.	.
13	yes	50	33/G0	.	.
14	yes	.	.	Azo	.
14	yes	.	.	delivered	.
14	no	.	.	7.4 million went Azo	.
14	yes	.	.	11 million	.
14	yes	.	.	59 million	.
14	yes	37	33/G0	56 million	.
15	no	.	.	164 million	.
15	yes	.	.	.	.
15	.	.	.	Azo	.
15	.	.	.	.	.
15	yes	.	.	Twins	MESA
17	no	.	.	77 million	.
17	yes	.	.	.	.
17	.	.	.	.	MESA
17	no	.	.	.	.
18	no	.	.	.	.
18	yes	47	44/G2	.	.
18	.	46	33	.	.
19	.	.	.	115 million	.
19	yes	50	41	miscarried	.
20	yes	48	.	6 million	.
20	yes	56	37/G0	63 million	.
20	yes	47	28/G1	.	.
21	yes	.	.	0.8 million	Adopted
23	yes	55	29	delivered	.
23	yes	53	32/G0	.	.
24	yes	.	.	sperm seen	.
24	yes	52	.	3.8 million	.
25	yes	55	38	10 million	.
27	no	55	.	pregnant	.
28	yes	.	.	.	.

Good Communication is an essential part of any doctor-patient relationship. You are encouraged to discuss any aspect of your healthcare with me.