Success Rates
Highly trained surgeons using advanced microsurgical techniques have set quite a standard for success. Reversal success rates are defined in two different ways, so be sure to understand how success is being defined when gathering information to help with your decision.
Patency – The percentage of patients who will achieve at least one million motile sperm in an ejaculated specimen within one year after surgery.
Pregnancy – The percentage of patients who achieve pregnancy with no additional assistance.
These success rates vary based on the type of reversal surgery that is required. If vasovasostomy is performed on each side, Dr. Schrepferman has a patency rate of greater than 98% and a natural pregnancy rate of around 65%, on par with, or better than, other high-volume centers throughout the United States. If vasoepididymostomy is required on each side, the patency rate is 70-75% and a natural pregnacy rate around 40%.
Achieving and maintaining such a high success rate depends on many factors:
- The training, skill, and experience of the urologic microsurgeon.
- Use of a high-power operating microscope for every surgery.
- The number of years since vasectomy (the longer the time, the more likely to need vasoepididymostomy).
- Expertise of microsurgical nurses and assistants in the operating room.
- Age and fertility status of the female partner.