Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy for patients with infectious obstructive azoospermia: cause, outcome, and associated factors

Azoospermia is of great importance to male infertility. Obstructive azoospermia (OA) due to infection is the most prevalent form of OA in China and has been less studied. We aim to observe the treatment outcome of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (VE) and also to identify the factors relative to the result after reconstructive surgery. Two hundred and eight men presenting with OA due to infection during the study period from July 2010 to July 2013 were prospectively evaluated. Clinical examination, semen analysis, serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and scrotal ultrasound were done before surgical exploration. Among the 198 men who were selected for surgical procedures, 159 candidates underwent microsurgical VE with sperm detected in the epididymal fluid. As for the other 39 cases, reconstruction was not feasible. The average age was 28.5 ± 3.9 years (range 22–38), with average follow-up being 16.5 ± 5.9 months (range 4–28). According to the 150 cases being followed after VE procedures, the total patency rate was 72% (108/150). During follow-up, 38.7% (58/150) natural pregnancies occurred, with overall live birth rate being 32.7% (49/150). Our data suggested that microsurgical VE is an effective therapy for postinfectious epididymal OA. Individualized counseling with prognosis based on etiology should be offered to patients to select optical therapy.