My Vasectomy Reversal

What is microsurgical vasectomy reversal and why is it so important?

Wikipedia defines microsurgery as “a general term for surgery requiring an operating microscope.” The vas deferens (which is cut during a vasectomy) is very small and the vasectomy reversal success rate is much higher if a microscope is used. This is incredibly detailed work. The surgeon is aiming to rejoin the severed vas, with a leak-proof connection of a channel only 0.3 mm in diameter. Microsurgery increases the patency and pregnancy rate of vasectomy reversals.

“Before the refinement of microsurgical techniques, results of vasectomy reversal were relatively poor, with pregnancy rates varying from 5 to 30 percent… Microsurgical techniques of reversal now result in return of sperm to the ejaculate in over 90 percent of men and yield pregnancy rates in the patient’s partner of better than 50 percent.” – From the Cornell University Department of Urology web page on microsurgical vasectomy reversal.”

Here are some other resources that address microsurgical vasectomy reversal:

• The International Center for Vasectomy Reversal discusses microsurgical vasectomy reversal, delving into suture size and other details of the procedure.
• Dr. Bruce Gilbert, of Great Neck, NY, has posted a PDF on microsurgical vasectomy reversal.
• Dr. Martin Bastuba also cites his adherence to this method of vasectomy reversal microsurgery.

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