[Microsurgical side-to-end epididymovasostomy: surgical technique and outcomes]

The surgical procedures and results of microsurgical epididymovasostomy for obstructive azoospermia at the epididymis are reported. These procedures include the separation of a single epididymal tubule, an incision in the side wall, and a side-to-end anastomosis to the mucosa of the vas deferens under microscopic view. The tunica of the epididymis and the muscle layer of the vas are sutured together to support the mucosal anastomosis. Ten patients with epididymal obstruction underwent the side-to-end epididymovasostomy. The group consisted of two with Young's syndrome, one with an epididymal blow-out after vasectomy, one unsuccessful epididymoepididymostomy, 4 after epididymitis and 2 cases of unknown origin. After the operation, sperm appeared in 9 patients, and semen quality was normalized in 4 patients, all of whom impregnated their wives. Microsurgical side-to-end epididymovasostomy is a much easier procedure than Silber's specific tubule method, and results in a high success rate.