3. How are vasectomy reversals performed?
The general steps involved in performing a vasectomy reversal procedure are as follows:
Step One – Anesthesia
The patient is administered either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia to ensure a pain-free surgical experience.
Step Two – Incision
A small cut is made in the scrotum by the surgeon to access the vas deferens, the tubes that were previously cut or blocked during the initial vasectomy.
Step Three – Preparation & Reconnection of Vas Deferens
The surgeon cleans and prepares the ends of the vas deferens for reconnection. If necessary, any scar tissue or obstructions are removed to facilitate successful reattachment. Utilizing microsurgical techniques, the surgeon meticulously rejoins the ends of the vas deferens. This typically involves suturing the tubes together using very fine stitches.
Step Four – Confirmation of Sperm Flow
Once the reconnection is completed, a test is conducted to ensure the unrestricted flow of sperm through the vas deferens.
Step Five – Closure
The incision in the scrotum is closed using dissolvable stitches or sutures that will gradually dissolve over time. The patient is then moved to a designated recovery area where they are closely monitored until the effects of anesthesia wear off.