Association between the lengths of excised obstructed vas deferens segments at the time of vasovasostomy and surgical outcomes

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether the length of the excised obstructed vas deferens at vasovasostomy (VV) performed for fertility is associated with semen parameters and/or pregnancy outcomes postoperatively.

Material and methods: The patients who underwent a VV at our institution from September 2004 to December 2018 were contacted via questionnaire and a chart review was performed. Linear and logistic regression models were used to determine the associations between the length of the obstructed vas deferens removed and postoperative outcomes including sperm concentration, motility, and successful pregnancy after reversal.

Results: A total of 83/170 questionnaires were returned. After exclusions, a total of 35 patients were included for analysis. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was 40.1 years and the mean time since vasectomy 9.3 years. The mean length of the obstructed vas deferens removed during VV was 2.25 cm. The longer the vas deferens segments removed, the more significant was the increase in sperm motility at 3 and 9 months postoperatively (p=0.011 and 0.008, respectively), but decreased sperm motility at 6 months (p=0.029). In 75.9% of the patients, sperm was present postoperatively, 23.2% achieved pregnancy through natural conception, and 55.8% achieved pregnancy using assisted reproductive techniques. There was no significant relationship between the length of the vas deferens removed and sperm concentration or pregnancy achieved after surgery.

Conclusion: In this cohort, the length of the excised obstructed vas deferens at VV was associated with improved sperm motility at 3 and 9 months postoperatively but not with pregnancy outcomes.

Cite this article as: Paul CJ, West JM, Wald M. Association between the lengths of excised obstructed vas deferens segments at the time of vasovasostomy and surgical outcomes. Turk J Urol 2021; 47(1): 3-8.