Vasovasostomy and predictors of vasal patency: a systematic review

About 3-6% of vasectomized men requested vasectomy reversal, for various reasons. Vasal patency (VP) is an important surrogate outcome of vasectomy reversal. This article reviews the impact of surgical skills, surgical approaches, intraoperative vasal fluid characteristics and the length of obstructive interval on VP. Based on the best available evidence, the rate of patency is related to the operative frequency of the surgeons, with better results obtained by surgeons who perform the operations at least 10 times annually. Microsurgical vasovasostomy is the preferred technique for durable good results. One-layer vasovasostomy and two-layer vasovasostomy seem to be equal with regard to VP. The rate of patency following vasovasostomy in the convoluted vas and vasovasostomy in the straight vas is comparable. The patency rate is high in men with clear intraoperative vasal fluid in at least one vas. VP is still high among patients with a long obstructive interval. In conclusion, surgical skills and intraoperative vasal fluid characteristics are the most important predictors of VP. Postoperative semen quality and the age of the female partner determine the chance of spontaneous conception in these couples.