TY - JOUR
T1 - Vasectomy Reversal for Postvasectomy Pain Syndrome
T2 - A Study and Literature Review
AU - Polackwich, A. Scott
AU - Tadros, Nicholas N.
AU - Ostrowski, Kevin A.
AU - Kent, Joe
AU - Conlin, Michael J.
AU - Hedges, Jason C.
AU - Fuchs, Eugene F.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2015 Elsevier Inc.
PY - 2015/8/1
Y1 - 2015/8/1
N2 - Objective To review our institution's experience and success with vasectomy reversal to treat postvasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) over the last 20 years. Materials and Methods A single surgeon (E.F.F.) performed all the vasectomy reversals. We identified 123 procedures done for PVPS treatment and were able to contact 76 patients. We sent surveys or conducted phone interviews inquiring about satisfaction, levels of pain preoperatively and postoperatively, and the need for additional procedures for pain. Thirty-one patients completed phone or written surveys. In addition, we compared the location of vasectomy among patients presenting for pain to that of fertile patients. Results Thirty-one men had vasectomy reversal for postvasectomy pain, with median age of 38 years (range, 31-55 years), of which 26 underwent vasovasostomy (VV). Seven patients required epididymovasostomy (EV) on at least 1 side based on intraoperative findings. Eighty-two percent of patients reported improvement in their pain at 3.2 months (±3.4 months) after vasectomy reversal. Thirty-four percent patients had complete resolution of all pain. Mean pain score before procedure was 6.4 (±2.4), decreasing to a median of 2.7 (±2.7) afterward. There was a 59% improvement in pain scores (P <.001). Two patients required additional procedures for continued pain, one orchiectomy and one epididymectomy. Four patients required an additional reversal procedure, one a repeat VV at 1 year and 3 an EV at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 years, with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years. We found no relationship between vasectomy location and pain. Conclusion Vasectomy reversal, through the use of both VV and EV, can provide long-term relief from PVPS.
AB - Objective To review our institution's experience and success with vasectomy reversal to treat postvasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) over the last 20 years. Materials and Methods A single surgeon (E.F.F.) performed all the vasectomy reversals. We identified 123 procedures done for PVPS treatment and were able to contact 76 patients. We sent surveys or conducted phone interviews inquiring about satisfaction, levels of pain preoperatively and postoperatively, and the need for additional procedures for pain. Thirty-one patients completed phone or written surveys. In addition, we compared the location of vasectomy among patients presenting for pain to that of fertile patients. Results Thirty-one men had vasectomy reversal for postvasectomy pain, with median age of 38 years (range, 31-55 years), of which 26 underwent vasovasostomy (VV). Seven patients required epididymovasostomy (EV) on at least 1 side based on intraoperative findings. Eighty-two percent of patients reported improvement in their pain at 3.2 months (±3.4 months) after vasectomy reversal. Thirty-four percent patients had complete resolution of all pain. Mean pain score before procedure was 6.4 (±2.4), decreasing to a median of 2.7 (±2.7) afterward. There was a 59% improvement in pain scores (P <.001). Two patients required additional procedures for continued pain, one orchiectomy and one epididymectomy. Four patients required an additional reversal procedure, one a repeat VV at 1 year and 3 an EV at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 years, with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years. We found no relationship between vasectomy location and pain. Conclusion Vasectomy reversal, through the use of both VV and EV, can provide long-term relief from PVPS.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.urology.2015.04.013
DO - 10.1016/j.urology.2015.04.013
M3 - Article
C2 - 26165616
AN - SCOPUS:84939775941
SN - 0090-4295
VL - 86
SP - 269
EP - 272
JO - Urology
JF - Urology
IS - 2
ER -