Vincent J. O’Conor

Anastomosis of the Vas Deferens After Purposeful Division for Sterility1, 2

A technique for reanastomosis of the vas deferens is presented. A survey by mail of urologists revealed 420 operations 160 of which were successful. The success of the operation depends on the freedom of the tissues from previous inflammation. Many of the failures were probably due to irreparable occulsion of the vas at a point away from the divided ends. The operation was successful in 1 patient who had been vasectomized 18 years previously. The operative technique for re-union of the vas is described.

Surgical correction of male sterility.

A series of 157 patients were subjected to surgical exploration to d etermine the mechanical causes of male sterilty. Factors causing sterility included congenital absence of the epididymes surgical division of the vasa deferentia for sterilization purposes and gonococcus or some unspecific pyogenic organism causing bilateral epididymitis. Attempts to re-establish a satisfactory channel for spermatozoa passage have been successful in approximately 10 to 16% of the patients. While these results have produced both pessimistic and optimistic phases of opinion continued and more widespread study is necessary to restore fertility in a larger percentage of these patients.