Patient's question:
I have been married to my husband for 2 years, but we have been unable to conceive. Recently, a hospital examination revealed that my husband has a blocked vas deferens. I would like to ask if there is a way to treat this? Is surgery absolutely necessary to restore it? If surgery is performed, how long does it usually take to stay in the hospital after the operation to recover?Doctor's answer:
Spermmust pass through the efferent ductules of the testis, the epididymal duct, the vas deferens, the ejaculatory duct, and part of the urethra. Obstruction in any of these areas can affect sperm. If there is unilateral obstruction of the spermatic duct, it has little impact on fertility; if there is bilateral blockage, where sperm cannot be expelled normally, it will lead to infertility. The common factors or causes that can cause obstruction of the vas deferens are as follows: 1. Infections of the urogenital system. Such as epididymitis, prostatitis, seminal vesiculitis, or epididymal-vas deferens tuberculosis, which can cause obstruction of the vas deferens, with the connection between the epididymis and the vas deferens being more common. 2. Injuries. Such as hernia repair surgery, varicocele, or surgical treatment of spermatic cord tumors, which can damage the vas deferens. 3. Surgical treatment of epididymal spermatocele or hydrocele of the tunica vaginalis can damage the epididymis. 4. Prostate surgery can cause obstruction of the ejaculatory duct opening; or even without direct injury, postoperative infection, adhesion, or scar formation can compress and obstruct the spermatic ducts. 5. Tumors. Such as testicular tumors, seminal vesicle tumors, or prostate tumors, all of which can cause obstruction of the spermatic ducts. 6. Congenital malformations. Such as the absence of the head, body, or tail of the epididymis, partial or complete absence of the vas deferens, non-connection between the vas deferens and the epididymis, or underdevelopment of the epididymis, vas deferens, or seminal vesicles. Obstruction of the spermatic ducts can cause obstructive azoospermia, which is also clinically known as pseudo-azoospermia. Its clinical manifestations and characteristics are: normal testicular size, absence of sperm, normal levels of follicle-stimulating hormone and testosterone in the blood, and normal results from testicular biopsy pathology. However, to confirm the diagnosis, contrast imaging must be performed. If diagnosed, surgical intervention is required to resolve the obstruction.