Although vasectomies are meant to be a permanent form of sterilization, life changes. A divorce happens, and your new spouse wants a child. A child dies. Regardless of the reason, 5% to 10% or approximately 60,0000 men per year who undergo vasectomies will have them reversed.

The first vasectomy was attempted by Parlovechoi in 1907 when he inadvertently cut the vas deferens during a hernia operation. Since then, with the advance of microsurgery techniques, the success of vasectomy reversals has improved dramtically over time. However, unlike vasectomies, vasectomy reversals are more complex and intricate. Furthermore, they're more expensive and usually not covered by insurance. Unlike a vasectomy which usually costs between $500 and $1,000, a vasectomy reversal can cost between $7,000 to $10,000.

Even though a vasectomy reversal is expensive, it is less expensive than other procedures. Futhermore, with the advancements in surgical techniques, the odds of achieving another pregnancy are good. In the vasovasectomy procedure, between 75% and 97% of patient's sperms return to the ejaculate in three months, and between 40% and 60% achieve pregnancy within two years. Conversely, the results of an epididymostomy are not as successful. Between 60% and 80% of the patient's sperm return to the ejaculate within 15 months, and between 30% and 60% achieve pregnancy.

.

A vasectomy prevents sperm from mixing with seminal to prevent pregnancy. Usually perfomed under local anethesia in the doctor's office, a doctor makes a small incision in the scrotum to expose the vas deferens. Afterwards, a small part of the vas deferens is removed, and the ends are either clipped, cauterized, or sutured. Although a man still produces sperm after a vasectomy, when the vas deferens is cut, it interrupts the flow of sperm, and a woman can no longer be impregnated.

In addition to the standard vasectomy, in 2003, the FDA approved the VASCLIP. The VASCLIP was a small, hinged lock which was clipped onto the vas deferense to interrupt the flow of sperm. Although this procedure caused less swelling and infection, it was more costly, the failure rate was high, and it usually wasn't covered by insurance. In one study done, the failure rate was estimated to be 25%. Although I couldn't find anymore information about it, the company's website was shut down in July 2007.

Unlike a vasectomy, a vasectomy reversal is more intricate since the diameter of the vas deferens is only 1/3 mm, the size of a pen dot. Considering this, it is also more costly. Whereas a vasectomy costs between $500 and $1,000, a vasectomy reversal can cost between $6,000 and $15,000. There are two types of vasectomy reversals. They are:

A vasectomy reversal is the first choice to restore male fertility unless there is a female factor that would impair pregnancy or when it seems a reversal would be unsuccessful. There are two types of vasectomy reversals; a vasovasostomy and an epididymostomy. The vasovasostomy is usually more successful than the epididymostomy.

• Vasovasostomy - This is the most common of the two reversal procedures. In this procedure, the surgeon makes an incsion in the scrotum, and exposes the vasderens. After the surgeon has found the severed tubes, he cleans and trims any damaged edges. The tube leading to the penis is flushed with water to remove any particles and check for blockages. If there is a permanent blockage, and epdidymostomy is usualy performed. If there is a blockage, and epididymostomy is performed. If there isn't a blockage, the sugeon withdraws seminal fluid from the tube leading to the testicle to see if sperm is being produced. If there are no blockages, and sperm is still being produced, a vasovasectomy is performed, and the surgeon reconnects the tubes of the vas deferens.
• Epididymostomy - Since this procedure is more complex, it is usually reserved when there is a tube blockage and no sperm are found in the vas deferens. In this procedure, rather than the surgeon reattaching the end of vas deferens, the vas deferens leading to the penis is attatched to the epididymis.

According to the medical professionals, the success of a vasectomy is dependent upon three factors. These three factors are the skill of the surgeon, the type of vasectomy reversal, and the length of time in between the vasectomy and reversal. However, there are some myths concerning these reasons.

Out of all three factors, the skill of the surgeon is the most critical factor. A vasectomy reversal is a microsurgery. The diameter of the vas deferens is only 1/3 millimeter. This is the size of pen dot. Furthermore, the size of the sutures is ? This is comparable to a hair. Therefore, considering how intricate the surgery is, the surgeon has to be very skilled

Secondly, the type of vasectomy reversal affects success. Since an epididymis is more complex and performed when there are problems, these reasons probably account for why it is less successful than a vasovasostomy.

The third reason for vasectomy reversals being less successful is the length of time between the vasectomy and the reversal. If the reversal is done less than 10 years after the vasectomy, the odd of pregnacy are better After three years, the odds are even better. Some people mistakenly believe this is because the antibodies to the sperm develop over time. However, there is no direct one-to-one correlation between antibodies and the length of time between surgeries. Sperm antibodies infrequently. are the reason for lack of success. According to one surgeon antibodies account for lack of success only 10% of the time. Rather than sperm antibodies, the problem is usually a blockage or a tear in the epididymis because of back pressure.

Lastly, some patients are advised in vitro fertilization would be a better option. Although in vitro has advantages, it is more costly and can take longer. Unless there is some other problem in addition to the vasectomy or the female partner has fertility issues, a vasectomy reversal is usually a better option.

Although there are advantages to in vitro fertilization, a vasectomy reversal is usually preferrable unless there are fertility factors with the female. If you opt for a vasectomy reversal, the choice of a surgeon is very important. According to one surgeon, the skill and training of the surgeon is one of the most single important factors in determining the success of a vasectomy reversal. To be qualified to perform a vasectomy reversal, a doctor spends one year beyond the urology residency in special microsurgical training. Furthermore, many insurance companies will not pay for a vasectomy reversal so you need to be sure you have the financial resources beforehand. Furthermore, before you decide on a surgeon, you should about his or her education, the sperm recover rate, and the pregnancy after the their procedures. By selecting the best surgeon you can find, you greatly optimize your odds of achieving pregnancy with your partner.

If the first vasectomy reversal fails, men can consider having another vasectomy reversal repeated, a vasoepdidymostomy, sperm extraction with in vitro fertilization (IVF), or intra-cytoplasmic sperm injections (ICSI).