No differences in outcome of surgical sperm retrieval with intracytoplasmic sperm injection at different intervals after vasectomy

In view of the widespread use of vasectomy as a method of contraception, there is an increasing demand for vasectomy reversal. However, the pregnancy rate after vasectomy reversal is inversely related to the duration of the time interval following vasectomy. Reports document that intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has been found to dramatically improve the results for the treatment of men who require surgical sperm retrieval because of obstructive azoospermia. This study examined the effects of time interval after vasectomy on the outcome of surgical sperm retrieval with ICSI. A total of 17 patients with obstructive azoospermia from vasectomy underwent 21 cycles of ICSI and sperm retrieval at the Center for Assisted Reproduction and Embryology from January 1997 to August 1999. Results have showed that microsurgical vasectomy reversal can be a highly successful procedure; however, surgical sperm retrieval with ICSI can bypass all of the factors that interfere with fertility in men with a prolonged time interval after vasectomy and can also reduce female fertility problems that may occur concomitantly. Results also revealed no statistically significant differences in fertilization rates, implantation rates, or pregnancy rates among three groups with different time intervals since vasectomy. It is suggested that the time interval between vasectomy and surgical sperm retrieval with ICSI treatment has no effect on the outcome.