Each year, over 500,000 men in the United States undergo a vasectomy, and each year, 6% of those men undergo a vasectomy reversal. Reversals are done in an outpatient setting using a surgical microscope. A general anesthetic is required to assist with the fine dissection and anastomosis of the lumens of the previously occluded vas deferens. An incision is made on each side of the scrotum to reveal the site of the previous vasectomy. The occluded segment is removed, and the two fresh ends are joined using stitches as thin or thinner than a human hair.]

There are two types of reversal procedures:

• Vasovasostomy (V-V): The two ends of the vas deferens are sutured to each other directly. This procedure has a success rate of >90%.
• Vasoepididymostomy (E-V): The abdominal side of the vas deferens is connected to the epididymis (the small, coiled gland that connects the vas deferens to the testicle). This requires a more complex technique and is performed when there is extensive blockage on the testicular side of the vas deferens or if secondary obstructions within the epididymis are present following the vasectomy. This procedure has a success rate of approximately 60% to 70%.

Vasectomy reversal resources

• A Clinical Update on Vasectomy Reversal
• Vasectomy Reversal Technique
• Vasectomy Reversal General Information From the Urology Care Foundation

Patient education guide to vasectomy removal

You have chosen to have a vasectomy reversal. The information below will help you understand your surgery, what will happen in the hospital and what you can expect when you go home. You can also find your plan of care from your doctor.

The success of a vasectomy reversal depends on the skill of the surgeon and the findings at the time of surgery. A surgeon should be trained in microsurgical technique, as precise suture placement and intraoperative decision making a crucial to the success of the surgery. The surgeon must also have the ability to perform the more difficult epididymovasostomy procedure pending the findings at the time of surgery. The more time elapsed since the vasectomy, the more challenging the procedure may be as secondary obstruction in the epididymis can occur from prolonged increases in pressure from the blocked vas deferens.

About the surgery

The procedure is performed by opening the previously blocked ends of the vas deferens and sewing the fresh edges together to create a patent channel for sperm to pass through. The defect in the vas deferens created by the vasectomy can sometimes be palpated through the scrotal skin. An incision is made vertically (up and down) on each side of the scrotum to reveal the previous site of the vasectomy. This incision is generally 2 inches. If the amount of vas deferens removed at the time of surgery was extensive, the incision may need to be extended upwards towards the inguinal canal.

The blocked ends of the vas deferens are incised to allow fluid to flow from the testicular side of the vasectomy site. If sperm are present, then 90% or more of patients are expected to have return of sperm in the ejaculate with a 60% to 70% pregnancy rate. If no sperm are present, yet the vasectomy fluid is abundant and appropriate for sperm production (clear, watery), then a vasovasostomy is also performed with direct attachments of the two ends of the vas deferens. If poor-quality fluid is present (thick, pasty), and no sperm are found, then the abdominal side of the vas deferens is connected to the epididymis by performing an epididymovasostomy. The anastomosis (new connection that is created) is performed in two layers using microscopic sutures the size of a human hair. This is done using high definition surgical operating microscopes.

If you had previously discussed banking sperm or a testicular biopsy, this is also performed through the same incision. Cryopreservation is performed in this way as a safety backup in the event that inadequate sperm counts are present after surgery.

Additional information on vasectomy reversal (PDF).

Before surgery

You may need to have an evaluation before surgery at UF Health Shands Hospital on the 1st floor. The evaluation is made up of a physical exam, chest X-ray, blood tests, urine tests, an Electrocardiogram and other tests necessary for your health and safety before surgery. At the time, you will be able to ask questions about your medications and hospital care. You will be told about which medications you should take and which you should not take before surgery. Please bring your medications in their original bottles to the before surgery evaluation.

If you take medications that cause clotting of the blood such as Coumadin, Plavix, Aspirin, Vitamin E, fish oil, or any NSAID (i.e.: Motrin®, Aleve®, Advil®, ibuprofen), these medications should be reported to your doctor and the person giving you medications. For your safety, these types of medication should not be taken for a least a week before surgery.

The day before your surgery, you may eat a light breakfast (no later than 11 a.m.). After breakfast, begin drinking clear liquids (Sprite®, 7up®, ginger ale, apple juice, tea, Jell-O®, ice pops, Gatorade®, chicken or beef broth) for the rest of the day then nothing by mouth after midnight.

To find out what time you need to be at UF Health on the day of your surgery call (352) 265-0023 between the hours of 7 p.m. and 11 p.m. the day before surgery.

The day of surgery

On the day of surgery, you will get to UF Health at the time you were told. The check-in area is on the first floor at the Ambulatory Surgery Check-In desk. You will be taken to the before surgery holding area next to the operating room.

Once you are taken into the operating room and the surgery starts, the family can call from the Surgery waiting area on the first floor and get updates from the operating room every one to two hours. Your family members must be prepared to wait.

The surgery itself takes about three hours to perform. However, it takes at least one to two hours to get you ready for the surgery, and you will spend anywhere from one to two hours after surgery in the recovery room.

After surgery, the doctor or a member of the surgery team will talk to your family either in person or by phone. At least one family member should stay in the Surgery Waiting Area on the first floor at all times for the entire surgery so that your doctor can locate them and give them an update on your condition once the surgery is over. If none of your family members are in the waiting area then your doctor will not know where to find them.

Care you should perform at home

• Apply an ice pack for 20 minutes every hour for the first 24 hours. This will prevent swelling and decrease pain
• Wear snug underwear or athletic supporter for a at least one week
• Shower daily starting 48 hours after surgery then dry the area completely
• No hard/strenuous physical activity until your post-operative check two weeks after surgery.

Medications following surgery

• You will be prescribed a pain medication for breakthrough pain and an antibiotic which you will take for three to five days depending on your prescription.
• Take pain medication as in the instructions for severe pain but use ibuprofen or naproxen for mild to moderate pain
• A non-narcotic approach is ideal and proven to provide excellent pain relief along with practical measures such as supportive underwear and intermittent icing).
• If you feel that your pain is poorly controlled despite practical measures and your prescribed medications, please call our office to discuss the next steps.
• If you are taking fertility medications such as HCG, FSH, Vitamin E, CoQ, L-carnitine, or vitamin C, you may continue these following surgery.
• If you are on blood thinners, be sure to confirm it is okay to resume this medication prior to restarting.

Recovery following surgery

• Please take your medications as prescribed, whether it be your as needed pain medication or your scheduled antibiotics. You are anticipated to have discomfort following your surgery; however, we want you to have a speedy recovery and not be limited by pain.
• You may notice some swelling in the scrotum as well as black and blue bruising in the surgical areas. This is common and no reason to worry. If the swelling continues or you have new onset discomfort different from shortly after surgery, call the office to discuss with our staff.
• Do not take any baths or submerge your incision under water until the skin edges have completely healed (at least one week). You may shower 48 hours after surgery and let warm, soapy water run over the area. Pat the area with a towel or drip dry, but do not scrub the incision site.
• Your incision is closed with stitches under the skin a medical super glue on the skin. Both are dissolvable and will flake off on its own over a week or two. Don’t pull or tug at the glue or stitches since this can cause your incision to open.
• Wear supportive underwear for comfort. This takes tension off your testicles and can assist with scrotal discomfort.
• You may use ice packs on and off every 20 minutes as needed for the first few days to reduce swelling and discomfort.
• Avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for the first tw weeks following surgery. You may return to work as previously instructed.
• Abstain from all sexual activity including masturbation until you are seen for your postop follow- up.

Your follow-up visit

• Your first appointment with your surgeon will be about two weeks after your surgery.
• At this visit, you will have a post-surgical check of your incision site as well as review your recovery course.
• The next visit afterwards will be three months from surgery. At that time, you will undergo an updated semen analysis. At that time, make sure to have at least two to three days of abstinence since your last ejaculation.

When to contact your health care provider

Call your doctor if you have:

• Trouble urinating or cannot urinate
• A fever of 102 degrees Fahrenheit or higher
• Pain that gets worse or does not improve with medication
• Uncontrolled nausea and vomiting
• Pain or swelling in your legs
• Chills and body shakes
• Active bleeding, increased redness or drainage, or unusual swelling in the area of the incision
• Any allergic reaction to your prescribed medication.

During work hours (8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday), call the UF Health Urology Clinic at (352) 265-8240.

After hours or weekends: Call the UF Health Shands operator at (352) 265-0111 and ask for the urology resident on-call.