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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffMajor complications following vasectomy reversal are rare. Risks of vasectomy reversal include:
- Bleeding within the scrotum. This may lead to a collection of blood (hematoma) that causes painful swelling. You can reduce this risk by avoiding aspirin before and after surgery and following your doctor's instructions to rest after surgery.
- Infection at the surgery site. This isn't common, but is a risk with any surgery.
- Inflammation. Sperm leakage into the scrotum can prompt your immune system to form an inflammatory mass called a sperm granuloma. Granulomas usually occur sometime after surgery and can be a sign that a vasectomy reversal wasn't successful.
- Damage to nerves and blood vessels. In some cases, this reduces fertility after a vasectomy reversal.
Call your doctor if you develop any of these signs and symptoms after your vasectomy reversal:
- Fever
- Swelling that worsens or won't go down
- Difficult urination
- A marble-sized lump in your scrotum
- Bleeding from an incision that continues after you've pinched the site between two gauze pads for 10 minutes
References
- Lipshultz LI, et al. Surgical management of male infertility. In: Wein AJ, et al. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/113319552-2/0/1445/23.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-7216-0798-6..50022-4--cesec30. Accessed Dec. 10, 2008.
- Boorjian S, et al. The impact of obstructive interval and sperm granuloma on outcome of vasectomy reversal. The Journal of Urology. 2004;171:304.
- Vasectomy reversal. UrologyHealth.Org. http://www.urologyhealth.org/adult/index.cfm?cat=11&topic=154. Accessed Nov. 13, 2008.
