Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy - Surgery

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Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)

The best assisted reproductive technology procedure for men who have had vasectomies or failed reversal surgery is intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The procedure involves injecting a single sperm into an egg. The fertilized egg is then implanted in the woman using in vitro infertilization (IVF). [For more information, see In-Depth Reports #67 Infertility in men and #22 Infertility in women.]

Some men may consider pursuing ICSI in place of vasectomy reversal surgery. Even though the introduction of ICSI has helped improve pregnancy rates after vasectomy, reversal surgery is usually still a better choice for most men who want children. Reversal surgery costs less than ICSI and men have the potential to achieve long-lasting fertility. ICSI is performed a limited number of times, and the success rates are best if the women is younger than age 37. ICSI/IVF also increases the chance for multiple births, which can pose risks to the mother and babies. However, ICSI may be more effective than reversal surgeries in men whose vasectomies were performed at least 15 years earlier.

Review Date: 11/04/2010
Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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