Faster vasectomy reversal explained

NEW YORK, March 23 (UPI) -- New vasectomy reversal techniques and equipment have made the procedure faster and less expensive, a U.S. urologist says.

Dr. Harry Fisch, director of the Male Reproductive Center and of Weill Cornell Medical College/NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City, says 500,000 U.S. men get a vasectomy each year to prevent pregnancy, but thousands later change their minds.

A vasovasostomy is faster and less disruptive to tissue, recovery is faster and patients experience less post-operative pain. The time savings translate into lower costs for the patients, Fisch says.

"This technique is a refinement of the classic microsurgical operation that I've performed for many years," Fisch says in a statement. "Instead of the usual large incision in the scrotum, we can now perform the procedure with a much smaller incision, using newer microsurgical techniques, which reduces the time required to reverse a vasectomy from about 4 hours to about 2 hours."

A free booklet, "Patient's Guide to Vasectomy Reversal," answers the most frequently asked questions on this procedure and other vasectomy reversal techniques. It is available free to patients online at www.harryfisch.com or through the Male Reproductive Center at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital.