Ask a doctor: What can you tell me about a vasectomy reversal?

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Q: What can you tell me about a vasectomy reversal?

A: For many men who have undergone a vasectomy and later desire to have another child or start a new family, a vasectomy reversal can help restore fertility. This is a minimally invasive microsurgical procedure performed in an outpatient setting under anesthesia. It involves reconnecting the vas deferens (the tube cut during the vasectomy) with a suture finer than human hair. The reconnection success rate is well above 90 percent. After surgery, patients do exceptionally well and rarely require pain medications beyond ibuprofen. Pregnancy success rates after the reversal depend on several factors, most notably the age of the female partner. Before you make any decisions regarding family planning, it's wise to find a qualified surgeon who provides comprehensive counseling to couples on all post-vasectomy treatment options, including vasectomy reversal and in-vitro fertilization (IVF), such as a specialist in male reproductive health who works hand-in-hand with IVF centers in the community.

- Dr. Anand Shridharani, urologist, male reproductive health specialist, Academic Urologists at Erlanger, member, Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society

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