Vasectomy Reversal Procedure

During the vasectomy procedure, the vas deferens are cut or tied. For a reversal vasectomy, the scrotum is opened up and the vas deferens is inspected for where the breaks in the tubes are. This is a 2-4 hour operation and often involves a surgeon looking through a magnifying glass due to the vas deferens and the rejoining procedure being so delicate and small.

Standard Procedure

Usually, you will be given a general anaesthetic so that you are asleep during the operation. After locating the cut in the vas deferens, the surgeon will cut away any damaged tissue and ensure that there are no blockages in the tube by squirting fluid through it.  While the surgeon has access to the tubes connecting to the testicles, a sample will be taken to check for sperm production. If there is no sperm to be found, this could mean employing the following surgical procedure:

Vasoepididymostomy

If no sperm is found when the surgeon checks after the initial standard procedure, this could mean that there is a blockage further back, requiring the surgeon to connect the vas deferens to the epididymis. This essentially connects the vas deferens directly to the point of production for sperm.

Should the blockage lead to this procedure being required, it can mean a reduced likelihood of fertility as sperm usually need the time in between the epididymis and ejaculation to mature and develop further. The vas deferens will have been cut significantly in length either way but most noticeably during this latter procedure. Both procedures are usually closed with soluble stitches which will disappear over a few weeks.

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