MICROSURGICAL EPIDIDYMOVASOSTOMY - PREDICTORS OF SUCCESS

The results of microsurgical epididymovasostomy for congenital and acq uired vasoepididymal obstruction were retrospectively reviewed in 22 p atients in an attempt to determine what preoperative or intraoperative factors might predict surgical success. The overall success rate, def ined as sperm on postoperative semen analysis, was 48%. The presence o f sperm on an intraoperative touch preparation from the epididymis was significantly correlated with response (chi-square 3.24, p < 0.10) an d no patient without sperm on touch preparation had sperm on subsequen t semen analyses. Testicular biopsy positive for spermatogenesis and p resence of motile sperm on intraoperative touch preparation were not s tatistically significant predictors of response. These results suggest that presence or absence of sperm on intraoperative touch preparation is the only significant prognosticator of successful microsurgical ep ididymovasostomy.