Vasectomy Reversal
This webpage will give you information about reversing a
vasectomy. If you have any questions, you should ask your GP or
other relevant health professional.
What is reversing a vasectomy?
A vasectomy is meant to be a permanent method of male
contraception. Reversing a vasectomy is a procedure to rejoin the
tubes that were cut during a vasectomy.
The procedure can fail, even if the tubes are rejoined
successfully.
What are the benefits of surgery?
The aim of rejoining the tubes is to allow sperm to mix with
your semen, making you fertile again.
Are there any alternatives to surgery?
It is possible for your doctor to take sperm from one of your
testicles using a needle (sperm aspiration). This can be used in
IVF treatment.
What does the operation involve?
The operation is performed under a general anaesthetic and
usually takes between an hour and an hour and a half.
Your surgeon will usually make two cuts on each side of your
scrotum.
They will examine each testicle before finding and freeing up
the tubes, and removing any scar tissue. Your surgeon will use a
special operating microscope to stitch the ends of the tubes back
together (see figure 1).
What complications can happen?
1 General complications of any operation
2 Specific complications of this operation
- Long-term pain in the testicles
- Reduced sperm count
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day. You should be able
to return to work after a week.
Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities
as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, you should ask a
member of the healthcare team or your GP for advice.
About six to eight weeks after the operation, your doctor will
ask you to give a sample of your semen. The sample will be tested
to find out if there are any sperm. If there are no sperm, it is
unlikely that the operation will be a success. If you have a low
sperm count, it may improve over time. Even if your sperm count is
high, the count may go down if scar tissue forms.
If the operation fails and you and your partner still want a
baby, you should discuss the alternatives with your doctor.
Summary
Reversing a vasectomy is an operation to rejoin the tubes that
carry sperm from your testicles. It may make you fertile again.
Acknowledgements
Author: Mr John Lemberger FRCS
Illustrations: Hannah Ravenscroft RM
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on
this website is produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by
Ramsay Health Care UK.
The intellectual property rights to the
information belong exclusively to EIDO Healthcare Limited.
You may not copy, print out, download or
otherwise reproduce any of the information other than for your
personal, non-commercial use.
The information should not replace advice that
your relevant health professional would give you.
Hospitals offering this treatment