Korean J Urol.  2009 Apr;50(4):375-379.

A New Method of Vasovasostomy with the Prolene Stent

• Choo HS
• Cheon SH
• Park S
• Ji YH
• Moon KH

Abstract

PURPOSE
The methods for vasovasostomy are varied, and many authors have reported various success rates. This study aimed to assess a new method for vasovasostomy with a Prolene stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among 85 patients who underwent vasovasostomy with a Prolene stent, 69 patients were retrospectively reviewed at our hospital between October 2004 and December 2007. The average age at the time of vasovasostomy was 42.2 years (range: 24.0-52.0 years). The obstructive interval was 6.25 years (range: 0.7-20.0 years). The cases were divided into 2 groups according to obstructive interval: group A (above 8 years) and group B (8 years and less), with 18 (26.1%) and 51 (73.9%) cases, respectively. Patency was defined as a sperm concentration of more than 10x106/ml on semen analysis. RESULTS: The overall patency and pregnancy rates were 76.8% and 43.4%, respectively. The patency and pregnancy rates of group A were 61.1% and 33.3%. Those of group B were 82.3% and 47.0%. The mean duration to pregnancy was 10.9 months (range: 4-31 months). The mean operation time was 90.2 minutes (range: 50.0-165.0 minutes). CONCLUSIONS: The new method of vasovasostomy with the Prolene stent has good efficacy and safety. Its benefits are the maintenance of good patency, a good pregnancy rate, and a diminished operating time.

Keyword

Vasovasostomy; Stents; Pregnancy

MeSH Terms

Humans
Polypropylenes
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Rate
Retrospective Studies
Semen Analysis
Spermatozoa
Stents
Vasovasostomy
Polypropylenes

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The photograph showed a new method of vasovasostomy with prolene stent. The prolene 3-0 suture was inserted in a distal end of vas deferens and penetrated to a proximal end (A). Both ends of the vas deferens were approximated with four nylon 6-0 sutures overlying the prolene 3-0 stent (B).

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