Vasectomy reversal: a seven-year experience.

INTRODUCTION: Since the demand for vasectomy reversal is increasing and many populations in Brazil and other countries show distinct characteristics, this study was carried out as an effort to determine factors and characteristics associated with the success rate of reversal in a population in Southern Brazil.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed 29 cases of vasectomy reversal performed over a 7-year period using the single-layer technique under microscopic magnification.

RESULTS: Mean patency, pregnancy, and birth rates were 75, 41.7 and 29%, respectively. The patency and pregnancy rates were 92.3 and 38.5%, respectively, for time intervals since vasectomy <10 years and 63.6 and 45.4%, respectively, for intervals >10 years. Patency and pregnancy rates were 87.5 and 50%, respectively, for patients who had their vasectomy performed by a urologist, and 50 and 25%, respectively, for those who had their vasectomy performed by a generalist surgeon (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: High patency and pregnancy rates are associated with time intervals since vasectomy of <10 years and vasectomies performed by urologists. There was no significant difference in the anastomosis time between the first 12 procedures and the next 12 procedures.