Objectives: To determine whether the occurrence of recanalization depends on the technique of vasectomy.
Materials and methods: A survey was conducted among Dutch urologists using a questionnaire in which information was gathered about the surgical procedure, postoperative complications, results of semen analysis after vasectomy, time between vasectomy and occurrence of paternity, results of semen analysis after paternity, performance of revasectomy, results of histological examination of the revasectomy specimen and whether the event had changed the protocol of the urologists.
Results: In all, 32 cases of paternity after vasectomy were registered. Surgical techniques and the criteria for a successful vasectomy differed among the responding urologists. There was a difference in time to paternity between men who did and did not correspond with the criteria. In most cases, semen analysis after paternity showed numerous motile sperm. Six men initiated litigation after paternity and the vasectomy protocol was modified by five urologists.
Conclusion: Paternity consequent on recanalization can occur at any time after bilateral vasectomy and does not depend on the surgical procedure or criteria for sterility. Because of the major consequences of paternity after vasectomy for both the man and urologist, accurate information about the possibility of recanalization should be given to the man beforehand.