Vasectomy reversal is usually successful, but does not guarantee restored fertility
Vasectomy reversal is usually successful but does not guarantee fertility
The surgical success rate of vasectomy reversal is quite high – with 90% of men having sperm reappear in the ejaculate, says Associate Professor Luk Rombauts, a fertility specialist and research director at Monash IVF.
“Whether that will be enough to get the couple pregnant is a different matter,” he says.
That depends on female fertility and also the quality of the sperm, which is estimated to be reduced by 50%.
Vasectomy reversal is a day surgery procedure. GPs managing post-op care may see patients with bruising and hematoma formation, or infection.
“I normally prescribe a prophylactic antibiotic to reduce [infection],” says Professor Rombauts.
A less common side effect of vasectomy removal is chronic pain.
In this video, Professor Rombauts addresses these points:
- Describe a typical patient that does need a reversal of their vasectomy
- How successful are vasectomy reversal procedures?
- Are there any particular forms of vasectomy that make it more difficult to reverse?
- Can you describe a typical patient that does need a reversal of their vasectomy?
- Describe the vasectomy reversal procedure
- What are the post-op complications a GP might see and how would you deal with them?
- Has there been an increase in vasectomy reversal in Australia?
