Intussusception vasoepididymostomy with longitudinal suture placement for idiopathic obstructive azoospermia

Abstract

Purpose: Surgical reconstruction is an important treatment option for obstructive azoospermia. Vasoepididymostomy results have primarily been described in men with previous vasectomy. We evaluated vaso-epididymal anastomosis outcomes using a 2-suture microsurgical intussusception technique with longitudinal suture placement in men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia.

Materials and methods: Between April 2007 and May 2009, 24 men with idiopathic obstructive azoospermia underwent 2-layer vaso-epididymal anastomosis using a 2-suture intussusception technique. Two double armed 10-zero polyamide sutures were placed parallel to each other longitudinally along the epididymal tubule to intussuscept the tubule into the lumen of the vas deferens for the inner layer of the anastomosis. Patency was assessed by return of sperm in the semen.

Results: A total of 23 men with a mean age of 31 years provided at least 1 postoperative semen sample. All had a mean 67-month history of primary infertility. In 11 men (48%) patency was noted a mean of 6.6 months (range 3 to 15) after surgery. One patient reported pregnancy by natural conception. Men with motile sperm in the epididymal fluid and those with bilateral surgery were more likely to have a patent anastomosis.

Conclusions: Within 1 year after surgery approximately half of the men who underwent longitudinal vaso-epididymal anastomosis for idiopathic azoospermia had return of sperm in the ejaculate.