Shorter surgery, lower costs for one-layer vasovasostomy

(HealthDay)—For men undergoing bilateral vasovasostomy, a modified one-layer technique results in shorter operative times and lower costs compared with formal repair, according to research published in the February issue of The Journal of Urology.

Yaw A. Nyame, M.D., from the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, and colleagues conducted a retrospective analysis of a single surgeon experience of vasectomy reversals performed from 2010 to 2015 to examine the cost benefits of a modified one-layer vasovasostomy versus a formal two-layer vasovasostomy. Data were included for 106 men, of whom 81.1 percent had a formal repair and 18.9 percent had a modified one-layer repair.

The researchers found that, compared with formal repair, the modified one-layer closure resulted in a significantly shorter operative time, lower microsuture cost, and lower overall operative cost (all P < 0.05). At the first postoperative visit there were no significant differences in semen parameters between the two techniques.

"In this era of cost containment the modified repair provides the opportunity to perform vasectomy reversal at a lower cost to patients and providers," the authors write.

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