Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 28, 2026

A Modified Vessel-Sparing Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy
Published on: June 8, 2022
Development of a scrotal vasocutaneous fistula producing viable spermatozoa 9 years after vasectomy
1Shropshire and Mid-Wales Fertility Centre, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury and Telford Hospitals NHS Trust, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, United Kingdom.
Objective:
To describe a case of scrotal vasocutaneous fistula discharging viable sperm.
Design:
Case report.
Setting:
A hospital-based assisted conception center.
Patient(S):
A 37-year-old male presenting for fertility treatment 9 years after vasectomy with a scrotal vasocutaneous fistula that caused a painful, intermittently rupturing, subcutaneous cyst.
Intervention(S):
Analysis of fistula discharge and planned fistula resection with vasovasostomy.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Diagnostic semen analysis to determine presence or absence of spermatozoa in fistula discharge.
Result(S):
A very low concentration of live spermatozoa were identified in the fistula discharge.
Conclusions(S):
We believe this is the first time that live spermatozoa, potentially suitable for assisted conception treatment using intracytoplasmic sperm injection have been identified in the discharge from a vasocutaneous fistula.

