Retrospective analysis of one-year outcomes after modified single-armed suture technique for microsurgical intussusception vasoepididymostomy

Abstract

Objective To retrospectively analyze the one-year outcomes of modified single-armed suture technique for microsurgical vasoepididymostomy in men with epididymal obstructive azoospermia (EOA). Methods From February, 2012 to November, 2013, microsurgical longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomies using a modified single-armed suture technique in 51 men with EOA was performed. The followed-up period was designed as 1 year. The correlations between the sperm motility in epididymal fluid, unilateral or bilateral procedure, anastomotic site, and the female partner age and the patency or pregnancy rate were analyzed. Results Followups were carried out for 39 (76.5%) men. The patency was noted in 24 (61.5%) men and pregnancy was reported in 15 (38.5%) female partners, including 1 received in vitro fertilization using fresh ejaculated sperm. Motile sperms in epididymal fluid were observed intraoperatively in 14 (58.3%) patent men and 3 (20.0%) nonpatent men, respectively (P < 0.05). In patent cohort, the mean ages of the pregnant and non-pregnant female partners were 26.5 and 32.7 years (P < 0.05) , respectively. Conclusion The modified single-armed suture technique showed favourable patency and pregnancy rates in this study. It's a practical alternative in the areas without the specialized double armed suture. Key words: Microsargical vasoepididymostomy; Epididymal obstruction; Obstructive azoospermia; Patency rate; Microsurgical operation