A clinical study of vasectomy failure and recanalization.

An analysis was made of the 26 unsuccessful operations from the 2,197 vasectomies performed in a non-profit medical facility. Hhe operations were performed by 6 physicians and significant differences were found in the failure rates. In all instances the tissue removed proved to be vas deferens when examined histologically. Two factors seem to account for the differences of failure rates amoung the physicians; 1) the lenght of vas excised and 2) the character of thechnique. Phsicians with a high rate of success removed a significantly longer section of vas than physicians exhibiting higher failure rates. At least 15 mm. of vas should be excised to maximize the success of the procedure. Excised vas segments less than 15 mm. had up to a 25-fold greater incidence of failure. Although considered of secondary importance, good surgical technique subjectively measured by the minimal amount of accessory tissue attached to the excised vasa was also considered to aid in reducing the number of vasectomy failures.