[Obturator foramen approach in vasovasostomy: studies on a cadaver]

We tested the obturator foramen approach first reported by Shafik in 1982, on an 84-year-old male cadaver. By this approach, the ductus deferens is by-passed through the obturator foramen for the reanastomosis in patients who require excision of a long segment of the ductus deferens. The length of the ductus deferens spared by this method was 10.5 cm. Preservation of the deferential artery and protection of the obturator nerve and vessels were considered to be essential in the operation. When the ductus deferens was cut more distal than the internal inguinal ring, this method was not feasible because the distal part of the vas was too short to come out to the upper scrotal region through the obturator foramen.