I would like to thank Professor Long Tian (Department of Urology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital) for the technical instruction on vasoepididymostomy. This modified procedure I designed is inspired by his artery-sparing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy. I would also like to thank Dr. Moqi Lv (Medical School, Xi&#39;an Jiaotong University) for the help with polishing the present paper.

This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Northwest Women&#39;s and Children&#39;s Hospital (No. 2021002).
1. Preparations
<ol>
	<li>Place the patient supine on the operating table and perform anesthesia as per the anesthetist&#39;s recommendations.</li>
	<li>Insert a 16Fr Foley catheter around the incision site after the field is disinfected and covered with surgical drapes.</li>
</ol>
2. Modified vessel-sparing LIVE
<ol>
...

<ol>
	<li>Wagenknecht, L. V., Klosterhalfen, H., Schirren, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microsurgery+in+andrologic+urology.+I.Refertilization.">Microsurgery in andrologic urology. I.Refertilization.</a> Journal of Microsurgery. 1 (5), 370-376 (1980).</li><li>Thomas, A. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasoepididymostomy.">Vasoepididymostomy.</a> Urologic Clinics of North America. 14 (3), 527-538 (1987).</li><li>Berger, R. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Triangulation+end-to-side+vasoepididymostomy.">Triangulation end-to-side vasoepididymostomy.</a> The Journal of Urology. 159 (6), 1951-1953 (1998).</li><li>Marmar, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modified+vasoepididymostomy+with+simultaneous+double+needle+placement,+tubulotomy+and+tubular+invagination.">Modified vasoepididymostomy with simultaneous double needle placement, tubulotomy and tubular invagination.</a> The Journal of Urology. 163 (2), 483-486 (2000).</li><li>Chan, P. T., Li, P. S., Goldstein, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Microsurgical+vasoepididymostomy:+A+prospective+randomized+study+of+3+intussusception+techniques+in+rats.">Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy: A prospective randomized study of 3 intussusception techniques in rats.</a> The Journal of Urology. 169 (5), 1924-1929 (2003).</li><li>Chan, P. T., Graham, S. D., Keane, T. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasoepididymostomy.">Vasoepididymostomy.</a> Glenn's Urologic Surgery, 7th ed. , 379-386 (2009).</li><li>Chan, P. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+evolution+and+refinement+of+vasoepididymostomy+techniques.">The evolution and refinement of vasoepididymostomy techniques.</a> Asian Journal of Andrology. 15 (1), 49-55 (2013).</li><li>Mostafa, T., Labib, I., El-Khayat, Y., El-Rahman El-Shahat, A., Gadallah, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Human+testicular+arterial+supply:+Gross+anatomy,+corrosion+cast,+and+radiologic+study.">Human testicular arterial supply: Gross anatomy, corrosion cast, and radiologic study.</a> Fertility and Sterility. 90 (6), 2226-2230 (2008).</li><li>Zhang, Y., Wu, X., Yang, X. J., Zhang, H., Zhang, B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasal+vessels+preserving+microsurgical+vasoepididymostomy+in+cases+of+previous+varicocelectomy:+A+case+report+and+literature+review.">Vasal vessels preserving microsurgical vasoepididymostomy in cases of previous varicocelectomy: A case report and literature review.</a> Asian Journal of Andrology. 18 (1), 154-156 (2016).</li><li>Lyu, K. L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=A+novel+experience+of+deferential+vessel-sparing+microsurgical+vasoepididymostomy.">A novel experience of deferential vessel-sparing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy.</a> Asian Journal of Andrology. 20 (6), 576-580 (2018).</li><li>Li, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Vasal+vessel-sparing+microsurgical+single-armed+vasoepididymostomy+to+epididymal+obstructive+azoospermia:+A+retrospective+control+study.">Vasal vessel-sparing microsurgical single-armed vasoepididymostomy to epididymal obstructive azoospermia: A retrospective control study.</a> Andrologia. 53 (8), 14133 (2021).</li></ol>

Vessel-sparing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy might have some clinical significance. Although it is not confirmed that this approach can improve the patency rate, it might better simulate the normal physiological structure and has certain significance for patients who have undergone varicocelectomy. This can be attributed to the fact that preservation of the deferential artery and vas deferens vein have positive effects on the blood supply to the testis after varicocelectomy and the venous return of the testis, respect...

Epididymal obstruction is the most common cause of obstructive azoospermia. Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (MVE) is the main surgical treatment for epididymal obstruction. Although various MVE techniques1,2,3,4 have been described previously, a two-needle longitudinal intussusception vasoepididymostomy (LIVE) technique described by Chan et al.5,6 has been recognized as the gold standard for achieving a superior patency rate7. The vasal vessels are typically ligated in LIVE. Ligation of the vasal vessels simplifies the procedure and reduces the tension of anastomosis, and a tension-free anastomosis is critical to achieving a successful outcome.
The vas artery primarily supplies the epididymis and vas deferens8. Whether preservation of the vas artery improves the postoperative patency rate remains unclear. However, preserving the vasal vessels during MVE might better simulate the normal physiological structure. Also, for patients who have undergone varicocelectomy, it may be meaningful to perform the vessel-sparing MVE, because the integrity of vasal vasculature plays a vital role in post-varicocelectomy blood supply and the venous return of the testis. A few studies9,10,11 have attempted to preserve the vasal vessels during MVE and suggested that the procedure may have certain benefits. However, preserving the vasal vessels makes the operation of anastomosis more difficult and increases the tension of anastomosis. In addition, the tension of the vas deferens may be transmitted to the vasal vessels and cause postoperative bleeding of the little branches of the vessels. Besides, the existing vessel-sparing procedure may affect the blood supply of the vas deferens. Therefore, we improved the surgical technique of vessel-sparing MVE to make it safer. We called this new procedure microsurgical vasoepididymostomy by preserving the vasal vessels using a retrograde-anterograde dissociation.

<table border="1" fo:keep-together.within-page="1" fo:keep-with-next.within-page="always">
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>11-0 microsutures</td>
			<td>Ningbo Medical Needle Co.,Ltd</td>
			<td>211115</td>
			<td>Double-armed microsurgical nylon suture length: 5 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>15&#176; ophthalmic knife</td>
			<td>pearsalls limited</td>
			<td>72-1501</td>
			<td>&#160;open the epididymal tubule</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>2-0 silk braided non-absorbable suture</td>
			<td>Coated</td>
			<td>1604-51</td>
			<td>Ligation of the vas deferens</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>24-Gangiocatheter sheath</td>
			<td>Melsungen AG</td>
			<td>4253523-03</td>
			<td>injection</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>5-0 silk braided non-absorbable suture</td>
			<td>Johnson &#38; Johnson</td>
			<td>SA82G</td>
			<td>Ligation of blood vessels</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>8-0 microsutures</td>
			<td>Johnson &#38; Johnson</td>
			<td>W2908</td>
			<td>Single-armed microsurgical nylon suture length: 13 cm</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Deferens separating forceps</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instrument Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>JCZ210</td>
			<td>Separation of vas deferens</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Micro scissors</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instrument Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>WA1040</td>
			<td>Microsurgical operation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microforceps</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instrument Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>WA3090</td>
			<td>Microsurgical operation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Microneedle holder</td>
			<td>Shanghai Medical Instrument Co., Ltd</td>
			<td>WA2040</td>
			<td>Microsurgical operation</td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>Operating microscope</td>
			<td>Leica Microsystems(Sch weiz) AG</td>
			<td>M525MS3</td>
			<td>Microsurgical operation</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

a modified vessel-sparing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy

Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (MVE) is the main surgical treatment for epididymal obstruction. The vasal vessels are ligated during MVE. However, preserving the vasal vessels during MVE might better simulate the normal physiological structure and be meaningful for patients who have undergone varicocelectomy. Nevertheless, preserving the vasal vessels might elevate the risk of increasing the tension of anastomosis, affecting the patency rate and leading to delayed postoperative bleeding. Therefore, we developed a novel vessel-sparing MVE to make it safer. Here is a summary of the improvements to the procedure. 1) The retrograde dissociation of the vasal vessels on the proximal testicular side was adopted as the main method, and the anterograde dissociation of the vasal vessels on the distal testicular side was adopted as a supplement to dissociate the vasal vessels to be preserved. This improvement ensures the blood supply to the vas deferens that will be used for anastomosis and also provides longer vasal vessels, which reduces the tension of anastomosis. 2) By fixing the vas deferens to be anastomosed and the broken end of the vas deferens, the free vasal vessels get fixed, which resolves the problem of transmission of vas tension to the vasal vessels and reduces the risk of vasal vessel hemorrhage. 3) Dissociation of the vas deferens after opening the tunica vaginalis increases the mobilization of the vas deferens, which also makes the new procedure easier to complete. The evaluation of the outcomes of this new procedure showed that no significant postoperative complications occurred in the patients, and the patency rate was no different from that of the conventional procedure. Therefore, this new, improved procedure can be considered safe, with satisfactory postoperative results.

A total of 51 patients who underwent vasoepididymostomy at our center between February 2018 and November 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Considering the anastomotic tension, the modified procedure was performed only in patients with obstruction at the corpus or caudal epididymal, and these patients were included in the current study. Semen examination was performed 1.5 months after the surgery, and the patients were followed up for more than 1 year. Relevant data of patients with the results of at least one semen tes...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about A Modified Vessel-Sparing Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy at JoVE.com

A Modified Vessel-Sparing Microsurgical Vasoepididymostomy

Here, we present a protocol to preserve the vasal vessels in microsurgical vasoepididymostomy. The surgical security is enhanced by preserving the vasal vessels using a retrograde-anterograde dissociation and fixing the vasal vessels.

Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy (MVE) is the main surgical treatment for epididymal obstruction. The vasal vessels are ligated during MVE. However, ...

The protocol describes the development of a novel vessel-sparing MVE. The procedure not only ensures the patency rate but also increases the safety of the surgery. This procedure can complete MVE without destroying the normal physiological structure.It's a safe procedure that may enhance blood supply and venous return to the testes. To begin, make a three centimeter vertical incision in the middle of the scrotum and deliver the testes from the incision. Open the tunica vaginalis.Carefully dissociate the vas deferens and adjacent vessels. The dissociated length is approximately five centimeters. Create a buttonhole of a diameter of five millimeters at the tunica of cauda epididymis using micro scissors.Identify a dilated epididymal tubule and carefully dissociate it using micro forceps. Place two needles of double armed 11-0 microsutures longitudinally in the selected epididymal tubule and open the epididymal tubule longitudinally between the two needles using a 15 degree ophthalmic knife. Sample some epididymal fluid flowing from the incision in the tubule with a glass slide.Gently pull out two needles in the epididymal tubule, separately if sperm are found. Make a puncture in the gap between the vas deferens and adjacent vessels using deferens separating forceps. Completely transect the vas deferens above the deferens separating forceps with a knife and preserve the vasal vessels below the deferens separating forceps.Cannulate the 24 gauge angiocatheter sheath into the vas deferens lumen on the distal testicular side followed by a bolus injection of diluted methylene blue. Observe the color of the urine. Dissociate the vas deferens on the proximal testicular side using micro scissors to separate it from the vasal vessels.Then ligate the broken end of the vas deferens and remove the dissociated vas deferens. Carefully separate the vas deferens on the distal testicular side from the vasal vessels using deferens separating forceps combined with micro scissors. Fix the vas deferens to the anastomosis with the tunica vaginalis using 8-0 microsutures at the included angle between the vas deferens and adjacent vessels.After fixation, ensure that the lumen of the vas deferens reaches the anastomosis site with no significant tension. Fix the muscularis edge of the vas deferens and epididymis tunica using three four interrupted 8-0 microsutures. Pass the four needles of 11-0 micro sutures in the epididymal tubule through four points on the cutting surface of the vas deferens in an inside-out fashion.Then perform the intussusception of the epididymal tubule into the vas deferens. Suture the muscularis edge of the vas deferens and the epididymal tunica using 10 to 12 interrupted sutures of 8-0 microsutures. Fix the broken end of the vas deferens on the tunica vaginalis using three to four interrupted sutures of 8-0 microsutures.Ensure that the free vasal vessels are fixed and cannot move. Among the 51 cases, 22 were treated using the new method and spermatozoa were detected in the postoperative semen in 19 cases. The postoperative patency rate was 86.4%Among the 29 cases who underwent the conventional procedure spermatozoa were detected in 25 cases and the postoperative patency rate was 86.2%There was no statistically significant difference in the postoperative patency rate between the two groups and there was no postoperative scrotal hematoma, scrotal pain, or testicular atrophy.The fixation of vasal vessels is the most important thing when attempting this procedure. Improving the dissociation of the vasal vessels can be attempted and may shorten the operative time. This new procedure not only ensures the patency rate but also increases the safety of the surgery.

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JoVE Journal

Medicine

1.8K visualizações.  Northwest Women’s and Children’s Hospital. O protocolo descreve o desenvolvimento de um novo MVE poupador de vasos. O procedimento não só garante a taxa de permeabilidade, mas também aumenta a segurança da cirurgia. Este procedimento pode completar a MVE sem destruir a estrutura fisiológica normal.É um procedimento seguro que pode aumentar o suprimento de sangue e o retorno venoso aos testículos. Para começar, faça uma incisão vertical de três centímetros no meio do escroto e liberte os testículos da incisão. Abra...