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Yes. Although there are procedures to reverse a vasectomy, the operation is very complex and expensive and the success rate depends on several factors, such as, type of reversal procedure, the physician's experience with the reversal procedure, time since the vasectomy was performed, the client's sperm quality and quantity, the anatomical effects of the original vasectomy, the presence of sperm antibodies, and the client's partner's fertility.
Although reports have found sperm in the ejaculate in more than 67% of the men who had undergone vasectomy reversal, the percent of successes, as measured by pregnancies among their partners, ranged from 16 to 85 percent, with over half of the studies reporting that less than 50% of the wives achieved an intrauterine pregnancy.
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A vasectomy reversal is an extremely complex operation that should be performed by highly trained and experienced surgeons. Microsurgical techniques require approximately 40 hours of intensive training in addition to frequent practice before a surgeon is proficient. Vasectomy reversal may be performed using micro- or macrosurgical techniques, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
Belker et al. and Fox found that the fertility rate after the vasectomy reversal decreased as the time between the reversal and the original vasectomy increased. The fertility rate can also be affected by postoperative scarring of the lumen, a lack of sperm in the ejaculate, and possibly the presence of sperm antibodies.
- Male Sterilization. Population Reports 1983;Series D(4):61-100.
- Ross J, Hong S, Huber D. Voluntary sterilization: an international fact book. New York : AVSC, 1985.
- Marmar J. The status of vasectomy reversals. International Journal of Fertility 1991;36(6):352-7.
- Belker A, Thomas A, Fuchs E, Konnak J, Sharlip I. Results of 1,469 microsurgical vasectomy reversals by the vasovasotomy study group. Journal of Urology 1991;145:505-11.
- Fox M. Vasectomy reversal - microsurgery for best results. British Journal of Urology 1994;73:449-53.
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