Edward Karpman

Vasectomy is the most common form of surgical sterilization performed in the United States. Approximately 600,000 vasectomies are performed annually. It is a procedure done to surgically sterilize the male. Once a vasectomy has been successfully completed and the semen has been confirmed to be absent of any sperm, then the couple can enjoy intercourse without the fear of having an unwanted pregnancy.

Vasectomy reversal is the most cost-effective way of achieving pregnancy after a vasectomy. Whether a couples desires more children in a relationship or the desire for children in a new relationship, vasectomy reversal offers the best chance of pregnancy. There are over 35,000 vasectomy reversals performed annually in the United States.

Most couples will get pregnant after a successful vasectomy reversal. In fact, the reported pregnancy rate is approximately 65%. The natural pregnancy rate of couples trying to conceive who have not had a vasectomy reversal is only 80-85%. The remaining 15-20% of couples will have difficulty achieving a pregnancy with a male factor involved in half of cases and a female factor involved in the other half. It is important that any couple trying to conceive should have a female evaluation to optimize the success of pregnancy after a vasectomy reversal.

Vasectomy reversal performed by vasovasostomy is done using an operating microscope that provides magnification 25 times the normal image size. This is important since the size of the vas deferens is about the same as a piece of spaghetti and should be sewn in two-layers to offer the highest pregnancy rates.