Obstructive azoospermia: a study of 102 patients

Abstract

A comprehensive study is presented of a series of 102 infertile men with non-surgical obstructive azoospermia. Details are given of the presentation, clinical features, apparent aetiology, sites of obstructive lesions and treatment. Identifiable aetiological factors were present in only 50% of cases. Amongst these, associated chronic lung disease (Young's Syndrome) accounted for 23%; genital infection, trauma and previous surgery were present in low incidence. The results of corrective surgery were poor and this fact, together with the clinical and pathological features of the patients in this series suggests that an ill-defined change in the aetiology of obstructive azoospermia may have occurred over the past 2 decades.