technique for EV, the availability of EV (either due to training or

practice pattern), the lower patency, and the lower pregnancy

we did not include EV patients in this analysis. We wanted this

to be a homogenous population of patients who underwent only

VV, which is the more widely available technique and more com-

monly performed. Hence we excluded patients who underwent

even a unilateral VE.

CONCLUSIONS

We have performed a retrospective review of VV outcomes.

There was a higher patency associated with the presence of sper-

matozoa in the vasal Fuid compared to the absence of spermato-

zoa. Information from this study will aid patient counseling on

outcomes after VV.

SOURCE OF FUNDING

R.R. is an NIH K12 Scholar supported by a Male Reproductive

Health Research Career Development Physician-Scientist Award

(Grant no. HD073917-01) from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

CAPSULE

Microscopic visualization of whole spermatozoa or sperm

parts in the vasal Fuid at the time of VV is positively associated

with postoperative patency.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

None.

REFERENCES

Belker AM, Thomas AJ Jr, ±uchs E±, Konnak JW & Sharlip ID. (1991)

Results of 1,469 microsurgical vasectomy reversals by the

Vasovasostomy Study Group.

J Urol

145, 505

–

511.

Chiang HS. (1996) Clinical study of vasectomy reversal: results of 60

single-surgeon cases in Taiwan.

J Formos Med Assoc

95, 866

–

869.

Eisenberg ML & Lipshultz LI. (2010) Estimating the number of

vasectomies performed annually in the United States: data from the

National Survey of ±amily Growth.

J Urol

184, 2068

–

2072.

Goldstein M, Li PS & Matthews GJ. (1998) Microsurgical vasovasostomy:

the microdot technique of precision suture placement.

J Urol

159,

188

–

190.

Kolettis PN, Sabanegh ES, D’Amico AM, Box L, Sebesta M & Burns JR.

(2002) Outcomes for vasectomy reversal performed after obstructive

intervals of at least 10 years.

Urology

60, 885

–

888.

Kolettis PN, D’Amico AM, Box L & Burns JR. (2003a) Outcomes for

vasovasostomy with bilateral intravasal azoospermia.

J Androl

24,

–

24.

Kolettis PN, Sabanegh ES, Nalesnik JG, D’Amico AM, Box LC & Burns JR.

(2003b) Pregnancy outcomes after vasectomy reversal for female

partners 35 years old or older.

J Urol

169, 2250

–

2252.

Kolettis PN, Woo L & Sandlow JI. (2003c) Outcomes of vasectomy

reversal performed for men with the same female partners.

Urology

61, 1221

–

1223.

Kolettis PN, Burns JR, Nangia AK & Sandlow JI. (2006) Outcomes for

vasovasostomy performed when only sperm parts are present in the

vasal Fuid.

J Androl

27, 565

–

567.

Lipshultz LI, Rumohr JA & Bennett RC. (2009) Techniques for vasectomy

reversal.

Urol Clin North Am

36, 375

–

382.

Patel SR & Sigman M. (2008) Comparison of outcomes of vasovasostomy

performed in the convoluted and straight vas deferens.

J Urol

179,

256

–

259.

Ratana-olarn K, Gojaseni P, Muangman V, Visethsin V, Ariyaprakai W &

Visuthikosol V. (1982) Vasectomy reversal: experience in Ramathibodi

Hospital, Thailand.

J Med Assoc Thai

65, 240

–

245.

Sandlow JI & Nagler HM (2009) Vasectomy and vasectomy reversal:

important issues. Preface.

Urol Clin North Am

36, xiii

–

xiv.

Scovell JM, Mata DA, Ramasamy R, Herrel LA, Hsiao W & Lipshultz LI

(2014) Association between the presence of sperm in the vasal Fuid

during vasectomy reversal and postoperative patency: a systematic

review and meta-analysis.

Urology

In Press PMID: 25697786.

Silber SJ & Grotjan HE. (2004) Microscopic vasectomy reversal 30 years

later: a summary of 4010 cases by the same surgeon.

J Androl

25,

845

–

859.

2015 American Society of Andrology and European Academy of Andrology

Andrology

, 2015, 3, 532–535

535

INTRAVASAL SPERMATOZOA AND PATENCY AFTER VV

ANDROLOGY