Vasectomy has been gaining popularity as a birth control alternative among men. However, for many couples it is still an extreme alternative, among other things because it has always been considered as a definitive or permanent contraceptive method.
However, thanks to the development of sophisticated microscopic surgery techniques, vasectomy today is a procedure that does not necessarily have to be lifelong.
The Dr. Francisco Osorio Martini, urologist and andrologist from the urology team and the Reproductive Medicine Unit of Clínica Alemana, explains that thanks to the development of these microscopic surgery techniques, vasectomy can currently be reversed with high chances of success.
Thus, the vas deferens can be rejoined, with a higher success rate and in a minimally invasive way.
Current evidence shows that when the reversal is performed within the first 10 years after the vasectomy, “there is a 90% chance of finding sperm again in the ejaculate and, within that group, the average pregnancy rate is 50 -60%. However, the more time has passed since the vasectomy was performed, the chances of successfully reversing it decrease ”, he says.
What does it consist of?
Vasectomy is a minimally invasive surgery whose purpose is to interrupt the flow in the vas deferens, structures that carry sperm from the testicles to the urethra. This results in a seminal fluid without sperm and, therefore, incapable of generating a pregnancy.
Dr. Osorio assures that current vasectomy reversal techniques involve the use of microscopic instruments that allow the vas deferens to be rejoined, a surgery called vaso-vasostomy, with a high success rate and in a minimally invasive way.
In addition, this technique has some benefits, among which are:
- Little painful recovery.
- Surgery in 1 day, outpatient.
- Relative rest at home.
Who can have a vasectomy reversal?
To opt for a surgery of this type it is important to meet some requirements. Dr. Osorio indicates that, in the Reproductive Medicine Unit of Clínica Alemana, couples are evaluated to see who can be offered this alternative.
“There are several factors that must be considered, since the chances of pregnancy after an intervention like this depend a lot on the age of the potential parents and their state of health. That is why each case must be studied, so that those who undergo this intervention have a real chance of success. That is why we speak of couples who are candidates for reversion rather than male candidates, ”he says.
In cases where the chances of success are low with this technique, sperm retrieval may be offered by fine needle testicular puncture or a testicular biopsy procedure under anesthesia, both with sperm retrieval rates over 95% in this group. of patients, which allows in vitro fertilization techniques.
A successful vasectomy reversal
After the death of a brother, Juan Eduardo Parker decided to have a vasectomy with the intention of not having more children. However, 7 years later he wanted to reverse it to bring another little boy into the world along with his partner, Camila.
According to Dr. Osorio, who was in charge of reversing Juan Eduardo’s vasectomy, the couple met all the necessary characteristics for the procedure to be carried out successfully. Because Camila was a young woman with no fertility problems, the years that passed since he had surgery were not an impediment for the vasectomy reversal to be a success.
Currently, León, Juan Eduardo and Camila’s son is going to be 3 years old and does not have any health problems. Finally, Dr. Osorio’s patient assures that, “the values that the clinic and its medical team have are very important to help you in these decisions.”
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