The effects of extensive vas mobilization on testicular histology during orchiopexy

We were aware that extensive mobilization of vas deferens during orchiopexy could cause secondary infertility due to testicular damage and/or functional obstruction of the vas deferens. We decided to perform this experimental study in order to document the effects of this procedure on the testis. Thirty adult fertility-proven New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups. Ten rabbits underwent extensive mobilization of the vas deferens and the other 10 rabbits had vasectomy on the left side. The remaining 10 rabbits were explored on the left side only and were considered sham controls. Four weeks later all rabbits underwent bilateral orchiectomy. Mean seminiferous tubular diameters and Johnsen's testicular biopsy scores were noted. Comparison of the three groups showed that vas mobilization and vasectomies cause no effect on the viability of testis, however, significant testicular histological changes, which were different from the controls and contralateral testis, were observed. We concluded that during any surgical intervention involving the inguinal canal, vascular and neural supports of the vas deferens should be preserved as much as possible in order to avoid iatrogenic damages to the testis.