If you have been considering a Vasectomy reversal, you are not alone. This procedure can be done by surgeons at Brigham and Women’s Hospital’s Main Campus in Boston, at the Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital in Jamaica Plain, or at the Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center in Foxborough. Another facility offering this procedure is the Dana-Farber Brigham Cancer Center in Milford. You can discuss which location will be best for you with your surgeon.
Vasoepididymostomy
A vasectomy reversal is a surgical procedure that restores the flow of sperm. The procedure involves cutting the vas deferens and reconnecting its ends to allow sperm to flow. However, the process may be complicated by scar tissue that Dr Derek Lok blocks sperm flow. Patients who have undergone a vasectomy reversal procedure should follow up with their surgeon every two to three months until the sperm count is stable. Some patients may be able to ejaculate within six to 12 months after the operation, while others may take anywhere from three to 15 months.
The procedure can be performed in an outpatient hospital setting or a surgical center. Anesthesia is usually required, so doctors can perform the operation using a surgical microscope. A skilled surgeon can use five to 40-fold magnification to view tiny tubes. The surgical suture used can be as thin as an eyelash.
Vasoepididymostomy is performed on men who have had a vasectomy for 15 years or longer. In this procedure, sperm is retrieved from the epididymis and implanted into the uterus. The procedure costs around $31,500.
The procedure takes about three to four hours and is an outpatient procedure. The success rate is 90 to 95 percent. While the success rate for vasectomy reversals is lower than that for vasoepididymostomy procedures, they are still considered safe and effective. Using microsurgery, these procedures can be more successful. The operating microscope helps the surgeon to precisely reapproximate the cut ends of the vas, which can lead to a higher rate of success.
The type of reversal procedure used will depend on the specific needs of the patient. In general, a vasovasostomy is recommended if sperm is still present in the vasal fluid. However, vasovasostomy is a more complicated and intricate procedure. In addition, it is usually performed on the same side.
The risk of major birth defects has been analyzed in studies conducted on vasectomized men. The risks are similar to those of a vasectomy. However, a successful reversal procedure requires a surgeon with special training in microsurgery.
In the long run, vasectomy reversal is a more complex procedure than a vasectomy, so a preoperative consultation is important. Vasectomy reversal is more expensive than a vasectomy, and insurance coverage may not cover the cost of this procedure. However, it does ensure the safety of the woman’s life, and will not make her pregnant again.