Vasectomy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Vasectomy, including details on procedure, risks, statistics, contraception, reversal.

Does Surgery Have a Role in Management of Chronic Intrascrotal Pain?

Sweeney CA, Oades GM, Fraser M, Palmer M

Department of Urology, Gartnavel General Hospital, Glasgow, United Kingdom.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the role of epididymectomy in the treatment of chronic postvasectomy and epididymal pain syndrome and to identify the factors that predict the outcome. METHODS: A total of 38 patients, aged 20 to 70 years (mean 45), who had undergone epididymectomy for intractable intrascrotal pain, were identified retrospectively from the pathology records. The clinical notes were reviewed, and details on patient demographics, previous vasectomy, investigations, and histologic features were collected and analyzed. The outcome was assessed by routine outpatient clinic review and telephone interview. RESULTS: Overall, 32% of patients reported resolution of symptoms after epididymectomy; 17 patients had undergone previous vasectomy, and this group was significantly more likely to have ongoing pain. Abnormal examination and ultrasound findings preoperatively did not correlate with a better outcome from surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our study have shown that epididymectomy has a limited role in the management of chronic intrascrotal pain.

Published 25 April 2008 in Urology.
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Articles on Vasectomy published 25 April 2008:

Advances in Male Contraception.   Endocr Rev.

Despite significant advances in contraceptive options for women over the last 50 years, world population continues to grow rapidly. Scientists and activists alike point to the devastating environmental impacts that population pressures have caused including global warming from the developed world and hunger and disease in less developed areas. Moreover, almost of half of all pregnancies are still unwanted or unplanned. Clearly, there is a need for expanded, reversible, contraceptive options. ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 24 April 2008:

Effects of Vasectomy on Gene Expression Profiling along the Human Epididymis.   Biol Reprod.

Worldwide, almost 100 millions men rely on vasectomy for male contraceptive purposes. Due to changes in their personal life, an increasing number of these men request surgical vasectomy reversal. Unfortunately, a significant proportion of these men remain infertile, despite the reestablishment of patent ducts, possibly due to epididymal damages caused by vasectomy. In animal models, vasectomy affects different epididymal physiological and biochemical parameters. However, consequences of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 21 April 2008:

Reassessing reconstruction in the management of obstructive azoospermia: reconstruction or sperm acquisition?   Urol Clin North Am, 35(2): 289-301.

Treatments for male factor infertility secondary to reconstructable obstructive azoospermia include either surgical reconstruction or direct sperm retrieval. We examine the risks and benefits of both types of therapies and discuss their respective medical and economic implications. Most male factor infertility studies comparing vasectomy reversal with sperm retrieval favor the former as the more cost-effective therapy for obstructive azoospermia. Analysis should include assessment of direct ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Restructuring reconstructive techniques-advances in reconstructive techniques.   Urol Clin North Am, 35(2): 229-34.

Microsurgical reconstruction to correct male infertility, although usually performed for vasectomy reversal, also is performed to correct other types of iatrogenic, congenital, and postinflammatory obstruction. In an effort to improve success rates and facilitate performance of these complex microsurgical procedures, modifications are continually suggested. This article reviews some of these proposed modifications. The modifications can be divided into five general categories: (1) use of ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 8 April 2008:

Does vasectomy explain the difference in tubal sterilization rates between black and white women?   Fertil Steril.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether the observed difference in tubal sterilization rates between black and white women is dependent on racial/ethnic differences in vasectomy rates. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of national, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. PATIENT(S): Women 15 to 44 years old with a current partner who were able to provide information about their partner's vasectomy status. INTERVENTION(S): None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The primary outcome was ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 3 April 2008:

Effect of vasectomy via inguinal canal on spermatogenesis in rabbits.   Asian J Androl, 10(3): 486-93.

Aim: To determine whether vasectomy away from the epididymal tail (via the inguinal canal) in rabbits can reduce the early postoperative effects on spermatogenesis. Methods: Twenty-nine normal male Japanese white rabbits (aged 4-6 months) were subjected to unilateral close-ended (conventional) or open-ended (the cut end of the juxta-epididymal vas deferens not ligated) vasectomy via the inguinal canal. Ten days and 3 months after operation, testes, epididymides and vasa deferentia were removed ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Articles on Vasectomy published 17 March 2008:

Results of vasovasostomy or vasoepididymostomy after failed percutaneous epididymal sperm aspirations.   J Urol, 179(4): 1506-9.

PURPOSE: After undergoing vasectomy approximately 4% to 6% of men change their minds and desire more children. In the past they had 2 options: 1) vasectomy reversal and 2) sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, in our practices we began to receive requests for another option: reconstructive microsurgery after failed percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this report we combined our collective experience with 8 patients who requested ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

Age-related increase of reactive oxygen species in neat semen in healthy fertile men.   Urology, 71(3): 490-4.

OBJECTIVES: The effects of advancing paternal age on the male reproductive system are well known, but its effects on fecundity remain controversial. Although oxidative stress is associated with poor semen quality and function, a relationship with advancing male age has not been established. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship between male age and seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in men presenting for voluntary sterilization. METHODS: We prospectively ... [Abstract] [Full-text]

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