Robotic Vasovasostomy Research Articles

Vasovasostomy: A systematic review and meta-analysis comparing macroscopic, microsurgical, and robot-assisted microsurgical techniques.

Vasovasostomy is a cost-effective procedure for the reversal of vasectomy. A water-tight adequately blood-supplied mucosal anastomosis is required for better outcomes. This review aimed to compare the outcome of vasovasostomy performed by three different techniques: macroscopic, pure microsurgical, and robot-assisted microsurgical techniques. Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant studies from January 1901 to June 2023. We conducted our quantitative syntheses using the inverse variance method in OpenMeta software. The study's protocol was registered on PROSPERO. This review involved 95 studies of different designs, with a total sample size of 48,132. The majority of operations were performed bilaterally, and participants were monitored for up to 10 years. The pooled patency rate was the highest following robot-assisted vasovasostomy (94.4%), followed by pure microsurgical vasovasostomy (87.5%), and macroscopic vasovasostomy (83.7%). The pooled pregnancy rate following purely microsurgical vasovasostomy was higher than that of macroscopic vasovasostomy (47.4 vs. 43.7%). Definitive pregnancy rates in robotic vasovasostomy are yet to be determined. Patency outcomes for vasovasostomy were best with robot-assisted microsurgical technique, followed by pure microsurgical technique, and conventional macroscopic technique. Further investigations of robot-assisted microsurgical vasovasostomy outcomes and randomized control trials are required to support this evidence.

SC22 - Robotic vaso-vasostomy for vasectomy reversal: results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

SC22 - Robotic vaso-vasostomy for vasectomy reversal: results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

PE06 - Robotic vaso-vasostomy for vasectomy reversal: Results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

PE06 - Robotic vaso-vasostomy for vasectomy reversal: Results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

PE03 - Robotic vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal: Results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

PE03 - Robotic vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal: Results from a tertiary referral robotic center with more than ten years of experience

Robotic intra-abdominal vasectomy reversal: A new approach to a difficult problem.

The management of obstructive azoospermia resulting from intra-abdominal vasal obstruction poses a formidable surgical challenge. A number of surgical methods have been described to address this problem, including both open and laparoscopic approaches to mobilize and sometimes even re-route the abdominal vas deferens prior to performing a re-anastamosis. We present the first report, to our knowledge, of robotic intra-abdominal vasectomy reversal used to repair obstructive azoospermia resulting from prior laparoscopic vasectomy. In doing so, we summarize the techniques described previously in the literature and build upon this body of surgical experience by combining robotic-assisted laparoscopic mobilization of the vas with robotic vasovasostomy. We believe this novel approach for repairing intra-abdominal vasal defects minimizes morbidity, while at the same time obviating the need for the operating microscope, and thus represents a practical alternative to existing techniques.

Robotic vasovasostomy: description of technique and review of initial results.

Vasovasostomy (VV) for iatrogenic infertility is commonly employed for patients with obstructive intervals of less than 15years, with the microsurgical technique gaining favor over use of loupe magnification due to precision suture placement. We present our technique of a robot-assisted VV and compare surgical times of staff to resident. Twenty patients with iatrogenic infertility and obstructed intervals of less than 10years underwent robot-assisted VV, 17 utilizing a single-layer reapproximation and 3 using a double-layer reapproximation. Average patient age was 32.9years. Following vasal exposure, the staff performed the robot-assisted anastomosis on one side followed by the resident on the opposite side. Reanastomosis times and semen analyses were recorded. Twenty patients underwent successful single- or double-layer robot-assisted vasovasostomy. Mean console time for staff to complete the vasal reconstruction was 37.6min compared to the resident time of 54min. Mean total operative time for all procedures was 187min (single-layer procedure averaged 182min compared to double-layer repair which averaged 238min). Thirteen patients returned for follow-up semen analysis, with twelve patients demonstrating sperm within the ejaculate. Additionally, two patients reported pregnancies for a patency rate of 93%. Mean sperm density was 14 million/ml with motility of 26.4%. Robot-assisted vasovasostomy is a technically feasible procedure demonstrating adequate results on follow-up semen analysis, and can be included in training residents in robotic surgery. Additional data are needed to determine its role in the management of iatrogenic infertility.

ROBOTIC MICROSURGICAL VASOVASOSTOMY AND VASOEPIDIDYMOSTOMY: A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED STUDY IN A RAT MODEL

Microsurgical vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy remain technically challenging procedures. Refinements in technique have continually improved patency and pregnancy rates for the 2 procedures in experienced hands. Advances in surgical robotics produced the Da Vinci robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Sunnyvale, California) with motion reduction and no tremor, features that may improve outcomes in microsurgery. We report a randomized prospective study of vasoepididymostomy and vasovasostomy using the Da Vinci robot in rats. A total of 24 adult male Wistar rats underwent vasectomy through a midline abdominal incision. Two weeks later the animals were randomized to microsurgical multilayer vasovasostomy, longitudinal vasoepididymostomy or robotic vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy groups. Outcomes measured included surgical time, complications, patency and sperm granuloma formation at 9 weeks. Animals were sacrificed 9 weeks after microsurgery. There were no significant differences in complications among the groups. Robotic vasovasostomy was significantly faster than the conventional microsurgical technique (68.5 vs 102.5 minutes, p = 0.002). The robotic and microsurgical vasoepididymostomy groups did not differ significantly in time. Patency rates were 100% for the robotic vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy groups, and 90% in the microsurgical vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy groups. These differences were not significant. Sperm granulomas were found in 70% of microsurgical vasovasostomy anastomoses and 27% of robotic vasovasostomy anastomoses (p = 0.001). No significant difference in the sperm granuloma rate was found between the robotic or microsurgical vasoepididymostomy groups (42% and 50%, respectively, p = 0.37). To our knowledge we report the first randomized prospective study using the Da Vinci robot for microsurgery. We believe that the improved stability and motion reduction during microsurgical suturing with the robot helped achieve excellent patency rates for vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy. The robot may also allow experienced microsurgeons to perform microsurgical procedures in patients at remote locations where no experienced microsurgeons are available.