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1.What is a Vasectomy Reversal?
Vasectomy reversal is a microsurgical procedure which restores the flow of sperm through
the vas deferens. During the original vasectomy the vas deferens – the tube which carries
sperm from the epididymis to the prostate – is cut and clamped. This results in no sperm
being present in the semen which is expelled from the penis during ejaculation. A
vasectomy reversal involves removing the clamps and stitching the vas deferens together
again, (or in a minority of cases actually attaching the vas deferens to the epididymis –
a procedure known as a vasoepididymostomy) thereby allowing the flow of sperm once
more.
2. How much does a Vasectomy Reversal
Cost?
This varies from country to country. In the USA, the price of a vasectomy reversal is
anything from between $4000 and $20000. In some cases it may be possible to undergo the
procedure under local anaesthetic at the surgeon’s offices rather than having to incur
hospital fees. This will reduce the cost to as low as $2500 but is not possible in all
cases – ask your surgeon if this is a possibility.
3. What Are the Chances of Success?
This depends on how long ago the original vasectomy was performed. The longer the time
lapse the greater the chance of blockage or damage to the vas deferens. However the
current level of technological advances in microsurgery means that as many as 97% of men
who undergo a straightforward vasectomy reversal experience a return to normal sperm
counts and 50% of cases resulted in pregnancy. However, if the original vasectomy
occurred 15 or more years ago this figures drop to 71% and 30% respectively.
4. What Things Should I Consider When Choosing A
Surgeon?
Make sure you are well informed when deciding on a surgeon for your vasectomy reversal.
The relative skill and experience of your surgeon will have a huge bearing on whether or
not your operation is successful. Ask the surgeon if he is able to perform a
vasoepididymostomy using an operating microscope. This is a crucial question since it is
usually only possible to tell whether this more involved surgery will be necessary once
your operation is underway.
5. How Long Will It Take After The Vasectomy Reversal
To Have A Chance Of Making My Partner Pregnant?
It will be at least 12 months after your procedure that your partner has a chance of
becoming pregnant, although statistically most pregnancies occur 2 years after the
vasectomy reversal. The best advice therefore would be not to delay the procedure and
additionally the longer the time lapse between vasectomy and reversal the less chance of
success.
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