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vasectomy reversal

surgery
Also known as: reverse vasectomy

Quick Summary

Vasectomy reversal is a surgical procedure to restore fertility after a vasectomy, which is a sterilization method for males. A vasectomy involves severing the vas deferens, the tubes that carry sperm from the testes. While vasectomy is a simple procedure, some men later desire to have children.

Vasectomy reversal can be achieved through standard or microsurgical techniques to reconnect the severed vas deferens. Microsurgery, using a microscope and specialized instruments, offers a higher chance of success. Success rates for surgical reconstruction are at least 40 percent, with microsurgery providing the best outcomes. If reversal is unsuccessful or not possible, sperm can still be retrieved for in vitro fertilization.1

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. vasectomy
  2. sterilization

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