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Basics Relating To Sterilization Reversal

By Andrew Mitchell


Surgical contraception has become one of the most preferred options of birth control. The method is typically chosen by persons who wish to have permanent contraception. However, in some cases, due to one reason or the other, there is a need to regain fertility meaning that the procedure has to be reversed. If you have plans of undergoing sterilization reversal, there are a number of things that you need to understand beforehand.

Microsurgery is the most commonly employed technique when performing vasectomy reversal. It is a method that involves the use of very small surgical cuts (hence the name). Due to the delicate nature of the operation and the small size of structures involved, microscopes are an integral inclusion. There are many other alternative techniques that can be used when performing vasectomy reversal but the microsurgical technique appears to yield the best results.

There are two main approaches that can be adopted when one wishes to restore the continuity of the sperm duct. The first option involves the joining of old stumps of the vas deferens that were left after the vasectomy procedure. The procedure is thus known as vasovasotomy. The alternative is to join a stump of the vas deferens (sperm duct) to the epididymis, the region in which sperms mature. This second approach is known as vasoepididymostomy.

The surgery is regarded as being safe generally but a number of complications may be encountered in rare circumstances. They include excessive blood loss, post-operative infections and hematoma formation within the scrotal sac. Fortunately, these complications are fairly easy to deal with when they occur. The overall success rate (return to fertility) ranges from 70% to 90%. The likelihood of succeeding is highest if the procedure is done less than three years from the time of vasectomy.

Microsurgical vasectomy reversal is performed as a day case in most centres. This means that one can be allowed home as soon as the procedure is completed. The procedure lasts between two and four hours depending on the degree of complications encountered. Regional (spinal) anaesthesia is usually used hence you will be awake during the entire exercise. After the operation, you may experience a bit of pain but this should not prevent you from resuming your regular routine.

Tubal ligation has many similarities to vasectomy. The actual procedure involves interrupting the continuity of the fallopian tubes. The effect of this is the prevention of fertilization of the ovum by the sperm. There are a number of different methods that can be used. They include clipping, cauterisation and cutting among others. Although tubal ligation was originally designed as a permanent contraceptive method, many people have had it reversed successfully.

The success of reversing tubal ligation is hugely dependent on the technique that is used in blocking the tubes. Clipping, for instance, can be reversed more easily as compared to cutting or cauterizing. You will be subjected to a number of tests by your fertility doctor before undergoing the reversal procedure. This include blood tests as well as radiological imaging studies such as the hysterosalpingogram.

Failure of these surgical procedures is caused by a number of factors. These include, for instance, scar tissue within the tubes. The scar tissue blocks the reproductive tubes and hinders the movement of ova and sperm cells. Failure may also result from the presence of anti-sperm antibodies. The doctor will typically screen for the antibodies before one is subjected to the operation.




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