Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2025
04:47
Optimizing the Modified No-Scalpel Vasectomy Technique
Published on: October 18, 2024
285
Vasectomy histology: Is it still useful?
Anthony Sim1, Panagiotis Nikolinakos2, Konstantinos Charitopoulos3
1Imperial College London. anthony.sim21@imperial.ac.uk.
Summary
Histological evaluation of vasectomy sites may aid when post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) compliance is low. However, incomplete vas division on histology does not correlate with adverse PVSA outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Reproductive Medicine
- Surgical Pathology
Background:
- Post-vasectomy semen analysis (PVSA) is crucial for confirming vasectomy success.
- Low compliance with PVSA poses challenges in verifying azoospermia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the utility of vasal histological evaluation in cases of low PVSA compliance.
- To identify predictors of PVSA compliance.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 388 patients undergoing vasectomy (2018-2022).
- Comparison of PVSA results across three histological categories: complete division, incomplete division(s), and absent vas(a).
- Multivariate model developed to predict PVSA compliance.
Main Results:
- Only 49.2% of patients (191/388) completed PVSA.
- No significant differences in azoospermia rates, rare non-motile sperm, or sperm presence between complete and incomplete vas divisions.
- Patient characteristics did not predict PVSA compliance.
Conclusions:
- Vasal histological examination can be valuable when PVSA compliance is suboptimal.
- Incomplete vasal division identified histologically is not linked to negative PVSA results.
