To design a treatment plan for patients with epididymal obstruction, we explored the potential impact of factors such as body mass index (BMI) and age on the surgical outcomes of vasoepididymostomy (VE). In this retrospective study, 181 patients diagnosed with obstructive azoospermia (OA) due to epididymal obstruction between September 2014 and September 2017 were reviewed. All patients underwent single-armed microsurgical intussusception VEs with longitudinal two-suture placement performed by a single surgeon (KH) in a single hospital (Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China). Six factors that could possibly influence the patency rates were analyzed, including BMI, age, mode of anastomosis, site of anastomosis, and sperm motility and quantity in the intraoperative epididymal fluid. Single-factor outcome analysis was performed via Chi-square test and multivariable analysis was performed using logistic regression. A total of 159 (87.8%, 159/181) patients were followed up. The follow-up time (mean ± standard deviation [s.d.]) was 27.7 ± 9.3 months, ranging from 12 months to 48 months. The overall patency rate was 73.0% (116/159). The multivariable analysis revealed that BMI and age significantly influenced the patency rate (P = 0.008 and 0.028, respectively). Younger age (≤28 years; odds ratio [OR] = 3.531, 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.397-8.924) and lower BMI score (<26.0 kg m^-2; OR = 2.352, 95% CI: 1.095-5.054) appeared to be associated with a higher patency rate. BMI and age were independent factors affecting the outcomes of microsurgical VEs depending on surgical expertise and the use of advanced technology.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Body Mass Index ; Epididymis/surgery* ; Vas Deferens/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sperm Motility ; Microsurgery ; Surgeons ; Vasovasostomy

To date, there is little information about the demography of vasectomy reversal (VR) patients or the factors currently influencing VR effectiveness in China, especially after the universal two-child policy was released in 2015. In this research, demographic data and perioperative medical records of VR patients were extracted from seven major hospitals in different provinces or municipalities of China. Meanwhile, a telephone survey of the patients was conducted to collect follow-up information. Eventually, 448 VR cases from the past 13 years were included. The results were analyzed by stratified comparison to investigate factors that can influence postoperative vas deferens patency and pregnancy rate. Appropriately statistical methods were used, and all of the protocols were approved by the Ethics Committees of the institutes in this research. The results showed that the annual operation volume of VR quadrupled after the two-child policy was implemented. Nonmicrosurgery and a long duration of vasectomy were significantly associated with a lower patency rate. A follow-up survey showed that the general postoperative pregnancy rate was 27.2%. For female partners over the age of 35 years, the postoperative pregnancy rate showed a more severe decline, but only 35.5% of them had been given a fertility examination before their husbands' VR surgery. Our work revealed that more patients in China have been demanding VR in recent years. High-quality microsurgery and a short duration of vasectomy are crucial for restoring patency by VR. Clinical andrologists should perform a preoperative fertility evaluation of the patients' female partners.
Male ; Pregnancy ; Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Vasovasostomy ; Retrospective Studies ; Vas Deferens/surgery* ; Vasectomy ; China/epidemiology*

Seminal duct obstruction may result in obstructive azoospermia (OA) and severe oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) (<0.5 million/mL) (Nordhoff et al., 2015). Cases of partial OA and OAT can be treated effectively by microsurgical anastomosis (Goldstein and Kim, 2013) to obtain successful surgical reversal. However, microsurgical vasovasostomy (VV) (Dickey et al., 2015) and vasoepididymostomy (VE) (Peng et al., 2017) are not suitable for patients with atypical OA and poor epididymis conditions or unpredictable obstruction of the distal vas deferens. For those patients, cross anastomosis may be applied instead of routine VE or VV. A single-center, retrospective, comparison study was conducted, which assessed the usefulness of the cross VV (CVV) in the scrotum for indication and efficacy. A total of 77 cases with OA or OAT were included, and 20 cases implemented cross anastomosis, including unilateral CVV (UCVV) in 4 cases, unilateral VE plus CVV (UVE+CVV) in 11 cases, and unilateral VV-based CVV (UVV+CVV) in 5 cases. The other 57 cases received no cross-matching anastomosis. The patency and natural pregnancy rates in one year were 75.0% and 50.0%, respectively, in the UCVV group; 54.5% and 27.3%, respectively, in the UVE+CVV group; and 60.0% and 40.0%, respectively, in the UVV+CVV group. The CVV in the scrotum in the selected patients with OA and severe OAT could yield good results. We regard the CVV in the scrotum as an efficacious operation with a lower risk of injury in cases of atypical OA.
Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Epididymis/pathology* ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility/surgery* ; Male ; Oligospermia/surgery* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Scrotum/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Vas Deferens ; Vasovasostomy/methods* ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Microsurgical vasovasostomy is associated with high patency and pregnancy rates, but is difficult and requires significant effort and time to learn. Therefore, we assessed a simplified loupe-assisted vasovasostomy method using a Prolene stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 82 patients who underwent loupe-assisted vasovasostomy with a Prolene stent by a single surgeon between January 2004 and December 2015 were reviewed. The association between the vasal obstructive interval (VOI) and the success rate was evaluated. RESULTS: The average age at the time of vasovasostomy was 39.8 years (range, 29~57 years). The mean VOI was 6.6 years (range, 1~19 years). The mean operation time was 87.0 minutes (range, 55.0~140.0 minutes). The overall patency and natural pregnancy rates were 90.2% and 45.1%, respectively. The success rate decreased as time after vasectomy increased (odds ratio, 0.869; 95% confidence interval, 0.760~0.993; p=0.039). The cases were divided into 2 groups according to the mean VOI: group A (>7 years) and group B (≤7 years), with 31 cases (37.8%) and 51 cases (62.2%), respectively. The patency and pregnancy rates of group A were 80.6% and 51.6%, respectively, while those of group B were 96.1% and 41.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Loupe-assisted vasovasostomy using a Prolene stent is a safe and effective method.
Humans ; Medical Records ; Methods ; Polypropylenes* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Stents* ; Vasectomy* ; Vasovasostomy*

Chronic scrotal content pain remains one of the more challenging urological problems to manage. This is a frustrating disorder to diagnose and effectively treat for both the patient and clinician, as no universally accepted treatment guidelines exist. Many patients with this condition end up seeing physicians across many disciplines, further frustrating them. The pathogenesis is not clearly understood, and the treatment ultimately depends on the etiology of the problem. This article reviews the current understanding of chronic scrotal content pain, focusing on the diagnostic work-up and treatment options.
Chronic Pain ; Epididymis ; Epididymitis ; Humans ; Male ; Pelvic Pain ; Vasovasostomy

ObjectiveTo investigate the treatment of azoospermia induced by iatrogenic injury to the bilateral vas deferens.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 11 cases of azoospermia caused by iatrogenic injury to bilateral vas deferens. The patients were aged 20－33 years, all diagnosed with azoospermia preoperatively and none with a history of pelvic operation. Seven of them had received bilateral inguinal hernia repair and the other 4 undergone bilateral orchidopexy in the childhood.

RESULTSIntraoperative exploration of the bilateral inguinal region was performed in all the patients. Bilateral vas deference atresia was found in the inguinal canal in 6 cases, which was treated by microscopic vasovasostomy following removal of the atresic segment. Vas deferens residual was observed in or near the deep inguinal ring in the other 5 cases, with the distal vas deferens inaccessible, which was treated by bilateral vasovasostomy in 3 cases and unilateral vasovasostomy in 2 (for longer defect segment than could be anastomosed) following combined laparoscopic exploration of the abdominal cavity. The patients were followed up for 3－12 months postoperatively, during which sperm were detected in 7 cases, with sperm concentration ranging from 0.4×10⁶/ml to 35×10⁶/ml and grade a+b sperm from 15% to 46%.

CONCLUSIONSFor the diagnosis of azoospermia, especially in patients with no history of pelvic operation, special attention should be paid to iatrogenic injury to the vas deferens. For the treatment of the disease, non-tension vasovasostomy is essential and, when necessary, the vas deferens can be reconstructed by changing its anatomical path and shortening its length.

Adult ; Azoospermia ; surgery ; Hernia, Inguinal ; surgery ; Humans ; Iatrogenic Disease ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Pelvis ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sperm Count ; Vas Deferens ; injuries ; Vasovasostomy ; Young Adult

INTRODUCTIONIn line with the effort to evaluate feasible surgical options for vasectomy reversal and to increase patients' willingness to undergo the procedure, this study reported on a technique for ambulatory mini-incision microsurgical vasovasostomy using a double-ringed clamp (i.e. Moon's clamp). This technique does not require the use of dilators, approximators and other accessory devices.

METHODSAmbulatory mini-incision microsurgical vasovasostomy was conducted on 263 patients who satisfied the surgical eligibility requirements for vasovasostomy and the safety criteria for local anaesthesia. The operation time, details on postoperative recovery and results of the postoperative semen analysis were recorded and retrospectively analysed.

RESULTSThe mean time used to isolate the bilateral vas deferens was 25.5 minutes. All patients were discharged on the day of surgery and all patients returned to their normal activities within 24-48 hours after surgery. No haematoma or infection occurred except in one patient. Postoperative semen analysis showed that the surgery was successful in 182 (96.8%) of the 188 patients who complied with the postoperative patient instructions.

CONCLUSIONAmbulatory mini-incision microsurgical vasectomy reversal using Moon's clamp and under local anaesthesia is a surgically feasible option that offers the advantages of a low-risk operation. It also achieves successful vasovasostomy without other accessory devices and allows patients to return to their daily activities quickly with minimal complications.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; methods ; Equipment Design ; Feasibility Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Instruments ; Suture Techniques ; instrumentation ; Vasovasostomy ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical effect of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy and/or vasovasostomy in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia.

METHODSThis study included 76 patients with obstructive azoospermia, 53 treated by bilateral vasoepididymostomy (8 involving the epididymal head, 18 involving the epididymal body, 5 involving the epididymal tail, and 22 involving the epididymal head, body and tail), 14 by unilateral vasoepididymostomy, and the other 9 by unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy (including cross anastomosis). We followed up the patients for 2 to 16 months for the patency rate, routine semen parameters, and pregnancy outcomes.

RESULTSThe success rate of bilateral vasoepididymostomy, unilateral vasoepididymostomy, and unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy (including cross anastomosis) were 62.26% (33/53), 35.71% (5/14), and 77.78% (7/9), respectively. The average sperm concentrations in the three groups of patients were (27.9 +/- 5.74), (11.8 +/- 8.33), and (19.9 +/- 7.53) x 10(6)/ml, the average total sperm counts were (65.6 +/- 13.71), (28.0 +/- 15.86), and (69.2 +/- 28.59) x 10(6), and the mean rates of progressively motile sperm were (22.3 +/- 3.18), (11.0 +/- 9.77), and (15.8 +/- 5.05)%, respectively. The success rates of bilateral vasoepididymostomy that involved the epididymal head, body, tail, and all the three parts were 62.5, 72.22, 60, and 54.55%, respectively. Natural pregnancy was achieved in 8 (10.53%) of the total number of cases.

CONCLUSIONMicrosurgery is effective for the treatment obstructive azoospermia. Unilateral vasoepididymostomy + unilateral vasovasostomy is superior to the other procedures, followed by bilateral vasoepididymostomy. Bilateral vasoepididymostomy involving the epididymal body may achieve a slightly better effect than that involving the other epididymal parts.

Adult ; Anastomosis, Surgical ; methods ; Azoospermia ; etiology ; surgery ; Epididymis ; surgery ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; surgery ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Count ; Treatment Outcome ; Vas Deferens ; surgery ; Vasovasostomy ; methods

PURPOSE: In the present study, we aimed to identify the incidence of fever in patients after subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy and to evaluate the clinical factors associated with the occurrence of the fever. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy (group A) under spinal anesthesia. In addition, we reviewed the cases of patients who underwent microsurgical vasovasostomy under spinal anesthesia as a control group (group B). The incidence of fever in each group was compared. We investigated the clinical factors influencing the occurrence of fever in the patients of group A. RESULTS: The incidence of fever in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (32.5% [53/163] vs. 0.4% [1/284]; p<0.001). Clinical factors such as age, varicocele grade, weight, height, operation time, number of ligated veins, usage of immediate postoperative analgesics, presence of postoperative hematoma, and duration of hospital stay were not significantly associated with the occurrence of fever. CONCLUSIONS: We found that one-third of the patients developed transient fever after subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy, and therefore, this information should be provided during preoperative counseling.
Analgesics ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Counseling ; Fever* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Length of Stay ; Retrospective Studies ; Varicocele ; Vasovasostomy ; Veins

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the preoperative factors that influenced postoperative sperm concentration after vasovasostomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 97 consecutive single-layer vasovasostomy procedures performed by a single surgeon between March 2003 and September 2010. The patients were stratified into three groups based on sperm concentration at 1 month follow-up: group I-azoospermia, group II-oligospermia, and group III-normal. We evaluated the preoperative factors that may have influenced sperm concentration at postoperative 1 month. Patients with serial semen analysis were divided into four groups according to the change in postoperative sperm concentration at the 6-month visit: group II-N-from oligospermia to normal, group II-O-from oligospermia to oligospermia, group III-O-from normal to oligospermia, group III-N-from normal to normal. We compared the pregnancy rate among the four groups. RESULTS: The mean obstructive interval was 9.69 years in group I, 6.02 years in group II, and 7.82 years in group III. There were significant differences found among the groups (p=0.035). There was significantly different change in sperm concentration, sperm motility, and sperm morphology between each of the groups. A total of 32 patients underwent serial semen analyses at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after vasovasostomy. There was no significant difference in patient age, obstructive interval, or follicle-stimulating hormone among the groups. The natural pregnancy rate in group II-O was lower than that in group II-N, and in group III-O was lower than that in group III-N. However, there was no significant difference among each of the groups. CONCLUSIONS: The sperm concentration after vasovasostomy was significantly related to the obstructive interval between vasectomy and reversal.
Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Vasectomy ; Vasovasostomy