Laser-assisted vasovasostomy

To find a less time-consuming alternative to conventional microsurgical vasovasostomy, we performed vasal anastomosis in four sterilized men by means of a Nd:YAG laser (wavelength 1,060 nm) under macroscopic conditions. After dissection of the vasal ends, the ends were approximated using 6-0 prolene sutures as intervasal stents. The apposed tissue edges were welded by laser pulses of 0.5 sec in duration and 10 W in power. Postoperative sperm counts proved normal in two patients; one of them reported a successful pregnancy in his wife 12 months after vasovasostomy. One patient had cryptospermia and one patient oligoasthenospermia. Laser-assisted vasovasostomy is a simple procedure and shortens the operative time. More patients still need to be studied to allow a favorable comparison with conventional suture techniques.