The vulnerability of the vas deferens (II): the case against routine bilateral inguinal exploration.

The results of operative manipulation of the vas deferens have unknown results. In order to document early and late structural changes in the vas after simple operative manipulations, the vasa deferentia of 120 Wistar rats were subjected to 4 different manipulations. Subsequently, they were removed at intervals (up to 6 mo) and examined after appropriate staining. Finger or vascular clamp grasping resulted in mild inflammation at 6 wk, which resolved thereafter. Forceps grasping disrupted the muscle layers in 30%-40% of the vasa. Hemostat clamping damaged muscle layers in 100% of the vasa and resulted in abscess formation in 30%. Healing in forceps grasped and hemostat clamped specimens was negligible and haphazard with minimal evidence of normal collagen or elastin at 6 mo. All differences were significant (p less than 0.05). These results suggest that operative manipulations of the vas should be minimized and limited to digital maneuvers. Damage from other manipulations is appreciable, long-term, and only minimally repaired at 6 mo.