SEMINAL TRACT OBSTRUCTION CAUSED BY CHILDHOOD INGUINAL HERNIORRHAPHY: RESULTS OF MICROSURGICAL REANASTOMOSIS

AbstractPurpose: Childhood inguinal herniorrhaphy is a frequent causes of seminal tract obstruction. We investigate the characteristics of this obstruction, surgical techniques for reanastomosis and outcomes in patients with bilateral or unilateral obstruction caused by inguinal herniorrhaphy in childhood.Materials and Methods: We treated 22 men an average of 30.5 years old in whom average duration of obstruction was 27.1 years. Obstruction was bilateral in 9 patients and unilateral in 13, and 14 had azoospermia preoperatively. Microsurgical 2 layer vasovasostomy and/or specific tubule epididymovasostomy was performed.Results: Inguinal and crossed vasovasostomy was done in 18 and 4 patients, respectively. The distal end of the vas was found at the internal inguinal ring or in the pelvic cavity in 57.1% of the vasa and more than 3 cm. of the vas had been resected in 37%. Sperm was noted in vasal fluid in 45.2% of the vasa during the operation and the patency rate of inguinal vasovasostomy was 88.9%. Ipsila...