Fertility after autotransposition of vas: a comparative study of absorbable and nonabsorbable suture material in rats

The anastomosis patency after autotransposition of vas (ATV) using an absorbable and a nonabsorbable suture material (10-0 Vicryl vs Ethilon) and the fertility have been investigated in a rat model. The patency rate and fertility in the absorbable group were 84% and 48%, respectively, compared with 93% and 59% in the nonabsorbable group. Sperm granulomas occurred in 60% and 48%, respectively. Sperm antibodies were present in 36% of the cases but did not have an impact on the fertility. The fertility after ATV seems to be comparable to the fertility in experimental and clinical vasovasostomy series. Further, the two suture materials appear equivalent with respect to patency and fertility in ATV.