Presence of sperm in the pre-vasectomy reversal semen analysis: incidence and implications

We determined the incidence of sperm in the ejaculate before vasectomy reversal, and correlated this result with intraoperative and postoperative findings.

Before vasectomy reversal semen was analyzed and granulomas were palpated in 186 men. The results were correlated with intraoperative vasal fluid and postoperative semen analyses.

Of 18 men (9.7%) with sperm present in the pre-reversal analysis 94% had sperm in at least 1 vas intraoperatively. The presence of palpable granulomas at the vasectomy site did not correlate with either pre-reversal or post-reversal semen analyses, or the presence of sperm in the vasal fluid intraoperatively.

Sperm are present in 9.7% of pre-reversal ejaculates and predict sperm in at least 1 vas intraoperatively. These findings also suggest the possibility of late vasectomy failures.