What is Reversing a Vasectomy?

Vasectomy reversal is a term used for surgical procedures that is used for reconnecting the male reproductive tract after interruption by a vasectomy. Vasectomy reversal is surgery 
to undo a vasectomy. It reconnects vas deferens that carries sperm from a testicle into the semen. After a successful vasectomy reversal, sperm are again present in the semen and 
that will help in getting your partner pregnant.
Two procedures are possible for vasectomyreversal are vasovasostomy  and vasoepididymostomy.  Vasectomy is considered a permanent form of contraception, advancement in microsurgery 
have improved the success of vasectomy reversal procedures. The procedures remain technically demanding, expensive, and may not restore the pre-vasectomy condition. Success rates 
with vasectomy reversal will range from 40 percent to 90 percent. Many factors affect whether a reversal is successful in achieving pregnancy which may include time since a 
vasectomy, partner age, definition of success, and surgeon experience and training.

What are the Procedure for Vasectomy reversal?

There are mainly two methods for Vasectomy reversal:
The first is through vasovasostomy, where the Doctor sews the ends of the vas deferens from the testes to the penis back together.

Procedure for Vasovasostomy
Vasovasostomy can be performed in the convoluted or in the straight portion of the vas deferens. Vasovasostomy is typically an out-patient procedure. The procedure is performed by 
urologists. Most urologists specializing in the field of male infertility perform vasovasostomies using an operative microscope used for magnification, under general or regional 
anaesthesia. If sperm were seen in one or both the vas contents at the time of surgery, or sperm reached the patient's semen only transiently after the reversal, microsurgical 
vasovasostomy may be considered successful. Unfortunately, surgeons performing only an occasional vasectomy reversal often neglect examining the vas contents for the presence or 
absence of the sperm. A surgeon cannot determine sperms presence or absence by the naked eye. The most common cause for failed vasectomy reversals is the inappropriate 
non-microsurgical technique using sutures that are too large for achieving watertight reconnections. The failure of a competently performed microsurgical vasovasostomy following the 
absence of any sperm in the contents of each vas usually is due to "blowouts" in the epididymites. Under these circumstances an operation should be performed only by the 
micro-surgeon with proven vasoepididymostomy expertise, bypassing the blowouts.

The second method is vasoepididymostomy. In this the doctor attaches the vas deferens to the small organ at the back of each testicle that holds sperm. It is more difficult than a 
vasovasostomy. The doctors may only choose this option if you can't have a vasovasostomy or if he/she doesn't think it will work.

Procedure for vasoepididymostomy
Vasoepididymostomy is often considered one of the most technically challenging and difficult operations in the field of urology. The procedure requires anastomosis of a single 
epididymal tubule to the lumen of the vas deferens and is reserved for patients with congenital or acquired epididymal obstruction, or patients who have failed at previous attempts 
at surgical reconstruction of the vas deferens. This surgery attaches the vas deferens directly to the epididymis and the coiled tube on the back of each testicle where sperm 
matures. A vasectomy can cause blockages or break in the vas deferens or the epididymis. This surgery is used when a vasovasostomy won't work because the sperm flow is blocked. 

Why Vasectomy Reversal?

Males decide to have a vasectomy reversal for a number of reasons, which may include the following points
• A vasectomy reversal is an effective and permanent way to prevent pregnancy. 
• A loss of a child, 
• A change of heart or remarriage. 
• A small number of men have a vasectomy reversal to treat testicular pain that may be due to a vasectomy.
• Vasectomies are easier and less costly than female sterilization.

Risks on undergoing Vasectomy Reversal
• Bleeding within the scrotum. Vasectomy Reversal can lead to a collection of blood (hematoma) that causes painful swelling. The risk of hematoma can be reduced by following your 
doctor's instructions to rest after surgery.Aspirin or other types of blood-thinning medication before and after surgery should be taken after consulting your doctor
• Infection at the surgery site. With any surgery there is a chance of infections whichmay require treatment with antibiotics in certain situations.
• Chronic pain.After vasectomy reversal is performed it is accompanied with pain

Myths Regarding Vasectomy Reversal
• You Cannot Father Children Naturally After A Vasectomy
This is probably the biggest myth of all. Some people believe that, for a number of reasons, men who've had a vasectomy won't be able to father kids except through In Vitro 
Fertilization. This is far away from the truth. Depending on various factors, vasectomy reversal can lead to successful conception from about 50 percent to over 90 percent of all 
cases. The origin of thisbelief is probably due to the fact that vasectomy is said to be a permanent way to address unwanted fertility. Yes, vasectomy is the best method of male 
contraception and reversal isn't easy but it's definitely possible.

• You Only Have One Shot at Vasectomy Reversal
Men who've had an unsuccessful procedure usually believe they've got no further opportunity to naturally father children. This isn't true. Although the chances of future success 
often reduce after a failed procedure, an additional reversal can still be a success. If you're caught in this situation, please consider seeing an expert with experience and 
expertise in reversing vasectomies. Different surgeons have different success rates, and you should give yourself the best possible chance of a successful outcome.

• Sperm Production Stops Temporarily After A Vasectomy
Another common misconception regarding Vasectomy reversal is that men stop producing sperm after having a vasectomy. But men continue to produce sperm which is reabsorbed by the 
body (normally in the epididymis).

• After 10 Years, a Vasectomy Reversal Has Zero Chance of Success
Yes, the success rates of vasectomy reversal do decrease over time after the initial vasectomy. However, the sperm can return in most of the patients even after 10 years of having a 
vasectomy.