title: Vasectomy Reversal for Postvasectomy Pain Syndrome: A Study and Literature Review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review our institution's experience and success with vasectomy reversal to treat postvasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) over the last 20 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A single surgeon (E.F.F.) performed all the vasectomy reversals. We identified 123 procedures done for PVPS treatment and were able to contact 76 patients. We sent surveys or conducted phone interviews inquiring about satisfaction, levels of pain preoperatively and postoperatively, and the need for additional procedures for pain. Thirty-one patients completed phone or written surveys. In addition, we compared the location of vasectomy among patients presenting for pain to that of fertile patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-one men had vasectomy reversal for postvasectomy pain, with median age of 38 years (range, 31-55 years), of which 26 underwent vasovasostomy (VV). Seven patients required epididymovasostomy (EV) on at least 1 side based on intraoperative findings. Eighty-two percent of patients reported improvement in their pain at 3.2 months (±3.4 months) after vasectomy reversal. Thirty-four percent patients had complete resolution of all pain. Mean pain score before procedure was 6.4 (±2.4), decreasing to a median of 2.7 (±2.7) afterward. There was a 59% improvement in pain scores (P <.001). Two patients required additional procedures for continued pain, one orchiectomy and one epididymectomy. Four patients required an additional reversal procedure, one a repeat VV at 1 year and 3 an EV at 1, 5, and 9 years, respectively. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 19 years, with a mean follow-up of 8.4 years. We found no relationship between vasectomy location and pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vasectomy reversal, through the use of both VV and EV, can provide long-term relief from PVPS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: A Scott
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Polackwich
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Nicholas N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Tadros
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Kevin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Conlin
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR. Electronic address: hedgesja@ohsu.edu.
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Hedges
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Eugene F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Fuchs
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013577:Syndrome; D014659:Vasectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014669:Vasovasostomy