Restoration of fertility in vasectomized men using percutaneous vasal or epididymal sperm aspiration.

OBJECTIVE

To restore fertility of vasectomized men using percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and percutaneous vasal sperm aspiration (PVSA) via intrauterine insemination (IUI).

PATIENTS: Twenty-eight vasectomized men who required restoration of their fertility with PESA, PVSA and IUI.

RESULTS

Of 28 vasectomy reversal subjects, 16 cycles of IUI using vasal sperm by percutaneous aspiration were performed in 16 subjects and 6 pregnancies were achieved. IUIs with epididymal sperm by percutaneous aspiration were carried out in 12 subjects with epididymal obstruction due to vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal, and 2 pregnancies were achieved using caudal and epididymal sperm by percutaneous aspiration, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The PESA-IUI and PVSA-IUI techniques are attractive, economical and effective for vasectomy reversal. The pregnancy by IUI using PESA and PVSA reveals that the caput epididymal sperm possess fertilization capacity in female reproductive tract and provides a new approach for the restorative fertility of vasectomized men.