Vasectomy Reversal FAQ
- What are the important factors in choosing a surgeon?
- Can you describe his surgical technique?
- What is the likelihood of a vasectomy reversal being successful?
- What factors make the reconnection of vas more difficult?
- What happens if the vasectomy reversal is not successful?
- How long will it take after a successful vasectomy reversal for my partner to become pregnant?
- Will there be any problems with sexual function after surgery?
- What are the other medical factors involved in conceiving a child?
- I've already had an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal. Is it worth trying again?
- Should the female partner have any testing prior to vasectomy reversal?
- How quickly can I return to work?
- What are the possible side effects of surgery?
- Are there alternatives to vasectomy reversals?
What are the important factors in choosing a surgeon?
Couples looking for a surgeon to do vasectomy reversal should consider his experience, success rate, and whether the surgeon uses the latest technology. They should also look at the number of reversals the surgeon performs each year.
Dr. Mcclure has been a board certified urologist since 1979 and is the director of male infertility and microsurgery at Virginia Mason. His expertise is extensive and he provides serves a on-site urologist for SRM performing vas reversal in our surgical center.
Dr. McClure has been doing microsurgical vasectomy reversals for over 25 years. Dr. McClure has performed over 2,000 vasectomy reversals and does approximately 75+ reversals per year. Dr. McClure has been a faculty member of the American Urologic Association Post-Graduate Microsurgical Course for the last 15 years. These courses train other urologists on techniques of microsurgery.
He has served on the faculty of University of California at San Fransisco and is currently a clinical professor of urology at the University of Washington Medical School. He is part of the American Urological Association post-graduate course on microsurgery for the last 15 years and has trained hundreds of other urologists on microsurgical techniques. He is author of more than 80 articles and book chapters on male infertility and vasectomy reversals. He is presently on the Executive Board of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine, the leading professional authority in the field of fertility, and is in-line to becoming president of this prestigious organization.
He does 80-100 vas reversals a year.
topCan you describe his surgical technique?
Dr. McClure uses a double-layer microsurgical approach. The usual surgical operating time is three hours. This is generally performed under local anesthesia with conscious sedation. Dr. McClure prefers not to put the patient under general anesthesia to limit the risks of complications. Please see the overview section for details on the surgery.
topWhat is the likelihood of a vasectomy reversal being successful?
In Dr. McClure's hands, the sperm flow can be reestablished in an average of 95 percent of patients, and the vasectomy reversal leads to natural pregnancy in approximately two-thirds of these couples.
topWhat factors make the reconnection of vas more difficult?
If during the initial vasectomy a large segment of the vas has been removed or cauterized, this makes restoration more difficult. Additionally, the more years that have elapsed since the vasectomy, the higher the chance that there may be an obstruction in the epididymis.
topWhat happens if the vasectomy reversal is not successful?
Depending on a number of factors, the patient could consider having another surgical procedure, such as bypass surgery, called a vasoepididymostomy. Success rates for this surgery are in the 70 percent range with generally a 40-45 percent chance of pregnancy.
topHow long will it take after a successful vasectomy reversal for my partner to become pregnant?
Although pregnancies have occurred as early as three weeks after surgery, it generally takes from six to nine months to conceive a child, and may take up to twenty-four months
topWill there be any problems with sexual function after surgery?
Other than a three week period of sexual abstinence there are no long term sequences on sexual function after vasectomy reversal.
topWhat are the other medical factors involved in conceiving a child?
Becoming pregnant also depends on your partner's age and reproductive health. We recommend that your partner be evaluated for fertility prior to scheduling a vasectomy reversal.
topI've already had an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal. Is it worth trying again?
Many factors contribute to a successful vasectomy reversal. Dr. McClure's skill and knowledge of male infertility factors have helped many patients who had an unsuccessful reversal the first time.
topShould the female partner have any testing prior to vasectomy reversal?
In women over 35, we recommend some assessment of female reproductive potential, for example a day three follicle stimulating hormone and estradiol and/or antral follicle count. These can be initiated by the female making an appointment with one of SRM's fertility specialist. For more information on such testing, please download the ovarian reserve assessment.
Whether you see Dr. McClure or one of SRM's fertility specialists does not matter. Because SRM is a full-service Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility practice, both female and male evaluation and management can be provided in one practice.
topHow quickly can I return to work?
Most individuals return to work 2-3 days following surgery. The first 24 hours is limited bed rest and then limited activities following that 24 hours period.
topWhat are the possible side effects of surgery?
Bleeding post-op is less than 1% and infection, particularly superficial, is a rare occurrence. Probably the most common risk factor in spite of surgery, the patient's wife does not get pregnant.
topAre there alternatives to vasectomy reversals?
Particularly in couples where the female partner is older and the length of time is more than 20 years people may choose to have epididymal sperm aspiration, i.e. TESA, and in- vitro fertilization, go through adoption or donor sperm insemination rather than have a vasectomy reversal which can all be initiated at SRM.
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