Vasectomy Reversal: What It Is and What You Need to Know Now
Many men (and their partners) often wonder if it is possible to reverse the vasectomy that they may have had in the past. The truth is many men have been able to have a vasectomy reversal procedure performed with great success. Knowing what a vasectomy reversal is and how it is performed is the first step.
The procedure commonly known as Vasectomy Reversal was first performed back in 1975 by Dr. Sherman Silber. Over the last several decades, many advances have been made and today many men are able to successfully reverse the vasectomy that they received in the past. Success in this case means that these men return to being fertile again.
There are a few different ways that the vasectomy reversal procedure can be accomplished. In general, the vas deferens is reconnected micro-surgically and the epididymal blowouts are then bypassed, again micro-surgically. This allows the sperm to be able to travel out of the epididymis and into the man's ejaculate. It should be noted that some 85 percent of vasectomy patients have blowouts that are found in the epididymis. What this means is that any failure to bypass or to correct the blowouts often leads to very poor success rates. However, with the skilled and proper attention to detail, some 98 percent of patients will have a full return of fertility.
It has been reported that many of the failed attempts at reverse vasectomy were performed in office or clinic settings rather than in modern operating rooms where the success rate appears to be higher. This is something to consider when planning to reverse the vasectomy effects. It is also important to know that if a vasectomy reversal procedure fails due to substandard work, the failure may still be able to be repaired by a skilled doctor working in a modern medical facility. Even so, it is best to have the vasectomy reversal procedure done right the first time and be done with it.
In some places that offer to reverse a vasectomy, the procedure is done as on an out-patient basis. This means the patient leaves the office or clinic almost immediately after the procedure is completed. A better option for most men is to have the vasectomy reversal procedure done in a hospital setting where the patient can stay overnight. While there is little pain involved, there can be some and being close to medical assistance is very helpful.
It is also important to remember that vasectomy reversal is sometimes incorrectly believed to be a simple reconnection of the vas deferens. This is not correct. Even some doctors use the wrong term when discussing vasectomy reversal and call it a vasovasostomy. However, vasovasostomy simply means to reconnect the vas. Reconnecting the vas will not restore fertility to the vast majority of men who have had a vasectomy. The reason is because in more than 80 percent of cases the unavoidable pressure that is built up within the vas results in what are known as microscopic "blowouts". This takes place in ductwork known as the epididymis, and this is where the man's sperm leaves the testis as it travels to the vas. If the epididymis is not bypassed, the vasovasostomy simply cannot work.
The procedure commonly known as Vasectomy Reversal was first performed back in 1975 by Dr. Sherman Silber. Over the last several decades, many advances have been made and today many men are able to successfully reverse the vasectomy that they received in the past. Success in this case means that these men return to being fertile again.
There are a few different ways that the vasectomy reversal procedure can be accomplished. In general, the vas deferens is reconnected micro-surgically and the epididymal blowouts are then bypassed, again micro-surgically. This allows the sperm to be able to travel out of the epididymis and into the man's ejaculate. It should be noted that some 85 percent of vasectomy patients have blowouts that are found in the epididymis. What this means is that any failure to bypass or to correct the blowouts often leads to very poor success rates. However, with the skilled and proper attention to detail, some 98 percent of patients will have a full return of fertility.
It has been reported that many of the failed attempts at reverse vasectomy were performed in office or clinic settings rather than in modern operating rooms where the success rate appears to be higher. This is something to consider when planning to reverse the vasectomy effects. It is also important to know that if a vasectomy reversal procedure fails due to substandard work, the failure may still be able to be repaired by a skilled doctor working in a modern medical facility. Even so, it is best to have the vasectomy reversal procedure done right the first time and be done with it.
In some places that offer to reverse a vasectomy, the procedure is done as on an out-patient basis. This means the patient leaves the office or clinic almost immediately after the procedure is completed. A better option for most men is to have the vasectomy reversal procedure done in a hospital setting where the patient can stay overnight. While there is little pain involved, there can be some and being close to medical assistance is very helpful.
It is also important to remember that vasectomy reversal is sometimes incorrectly believed to be a simple reconnection of the vas deferens. This is not correct. Even some doctors use the wrong term when discussing vasectomy reversal and call it a vasovasostomy. However, vasovasostomy simply means to reconnect the vas. Reconnecting the vas will not restore fertility to the vast majority of men who have had a vasectomy. The reason is because in more than 80 percent of cases the unavoidable pressure that is built up within the vas results in what are known as microscopic "blowouts". This takes place in ductwork known as the epididymis, and this is where the man's sperm leaves the testis as it travels to the vas. If the epididymis is not bypassed, the vasovasostomy simply cannot work.
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