PURPOSE: To review fertility outcomes of vasectomy reversals in men with the same female partners as before their vasectomy from a high surgical volume center.
MATERIALS & METHODS: A retrospective study of a prospective database was performed. All vasectomy reversals were performed by a single surgeon (EFF). Patients undergoing microsurgical vasectomy reversal with the same female partners as before the vasectomy were identified from 1978 to 2011. Pregnancy rates, live birth rates, type of procedure (bilateral vasovasostomy, bilateral vasoepididymostomy, unilateral vasovasostomy, or unilateral vasoepididymostomy), patency rates, time from reversal, and age of spouse were evaluated.
RESULTS: A total of 3,135 consecutive microsurgical vasectomy reversals were reviewed. Of these patients, 524 (17%) underwent vasectomy reversal with the same female partner. A total of 258 patients (49%) had complete information available, and had a vas patency rate of 94%. Clinical pregnancy rate was 83% with natural means (compared to 60% in our general vasectomy reversal population (p< 0.0001)). Logistic regression analysis controlling for wife age, patient age, and years from vasectomy and vasectomy reversal with the same female partner had an odds ratio of 2 (p< 0.007). The average time interval from vasectomy was 5.7 years. The average age of the patient at reversal was 38.9 years and average age of the female partner was 33.2 years.
CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes of clinical pregnancy and live birth rates are higher in men undergoing microsurgical vasectomy reversal with the same female partner. These outcomes may be related to shorter interval from vasectomy, previous fertility, and motivation of the couple.
Written by:
Ostrowski KA, Polackwich AS, Kent J, Conlin MJ, Hedges JC, Fuchs EF. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Reference: J Urol. 2014 Jul 31. pii: S0022-5347(14)04144-5.
doi: 10.1016/j.juro.2014.07.106
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 25088953
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