Vasovasostomy is the surgical procedure to reverse a vasectomy. A small surgical cut (incision) will be made on both sides of your scrotum. Then the ends of your sperm ducts will be reconnected. This is done to restore the flow of sperm from your testicles to your semen. In most cases, this surgery is successful. The success rate goes down the longer the period between vasectomy and vasovasostomy.
Tell a health care provider about:
- Any allergies you have.
- All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
- Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
- Any blood disorders you have.
- Any surgeries you have had.
- Any medical conditions you have.
- Cancer treatment with drugs (chemotherapy) or X-rays (radiation therapy) that you have had.
Potential Risks
- Bleeding inside your scrotum (hematoma).
- Infection.
- Testicle shrinkage (testicular atrophy).
- Continued testicle pain after surgery.
- Failure to have sperm in your semen after surgery.
- Scarring of your sperm duct after surgery causing blockage (stenosis).
Procedure Prep
- Your surgeon may examine your testicles before surgery to make sure they are a normal size.
- Do not eat or drink anything for 6–8 hours before the procedure if you are having a general anesthetic.
- You may be given an antibiotic medicine about 30 minutes before surgery. Take this with a small sip of water.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
What Happens During The Procedure?
- This procedure is usually done as outpatient surgery and may take from 2–4 hours.
- You will be given medicine that makes you sleep (general anesthetic) or medicine that numbs only your scrotal area (local anesthetic).
- The surgeon will make a small incision around the site of your previous vasectomy.
- The cut ends of your sperm duct will be found.
- The closed ends of the ducts will be removed.
- Your surgeon will check for sperm in the opened end of the duct connected to your testicle by looking for sperm under a microscope.
- If sperm is found, your surgeon will use an operating microscope to reattach the ends of your sperm duct with very fine sutures.
- If sperm is not found, your surgeon may need to make the reconnection farther back. This may require making another incision higher up in your scrotum and could add another hour to operating time.
- When your sperm duct is reconnected, the incision(s) will be closed with tiny sutures or clips.
- This same procedure is then repeated on the other side of your scrotum.
Post Procedure Care
- After the procedure, you will be monitored in a recovery area until you no longer feel the effects of the anesthetic. This may take a few hours if you have had a general anesthetic.
- You can expect to have some pain for a few days. Ask your health care provider what you can take for pain relief.
- Only take medicines as directed by your health care provider. You may have a small bandage on your scrotum.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider.