Vasectomy reversal with ultrasonography‐guided spermatic cord block
Authors: Birkhäuser Frédéric D. , Wipfli Marius , Eichenberger Urs , Luyet Cédric , Greif Robert , Thalmann George N. 
Published: March 2012

Study Type – Therapy (case series)

Level of Evidence 4

What's known on the subject? and What does the study add?

Vasectomy reversal is often performed in general or neuraxial anaesthesia. Even though the site of vasectomy reversal is easily amenable to regional/local anaesthesia, spermatic cord blocks are rarely applied because of their risk of vascular damage within the spermatic cord. Recently, we described the technique of ultrasonography (US)‐guided spermatic cord block for scrotal surgery, which, thanks to the US guidance, at the same time avoids the risk of vascular damage of blindly performed injections and the risks of general and neuraxial anaesthesia.

Vasectomy reversal can easily be done in regional anaesthesia with the newly described technique of US‐guided spermatic cord block without the risks of vascular damage by a blindly performed injection and the risks of standard general and neuraxial anaesthesia. In addition, this technique grants long‐lasting postoperative pain relief and patients recover more quickly. Microsurgical conditions are excellent and patient satisfaction is high. Thanks to these advantages, more patients undergoing vasectomy reversal might avoid general or neuraxial anaesthesia.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the success rate, microsurgical conditions, postoperative recovery, complications and patient satisfaction of ultrasonography (US)‐guided spermatic cord block in patients undergoing microscopic vasectomy reversal and to compare them to a control group with general or neuraxial anaesthesia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present study comprised a prospective series of 10 consecutive patients undergoing US‐guided spermatic cord block for microscopic vasectomy reversal.

The cohort was compared with 10 patients in a historical control group with general or neuraxial anaesthesia.

RESULTS

Nineteen of 20 (95%) blocks were successful, defined as no pain >3 on the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), no additional analgesics and/or no conversion to general anaesthesia. Median pain was 0 on the VAS (range 0–5). Additional analgesics were requested in one (5%) block, and there was no conversion to general anaesthesia.

Microsurgical conditions were excellent.

In the spermatic cord block vs general/neuraxial anaesthesia groups, median times (range) between surgery and first postoperative analgesics, alimentation, mobilization and hospital discharge were 12 (2–14) vs 3 (1–6), 1 (0.25–3) vs 4 (3–6), 2 (1–3) vs 6 (3–10), and 4 (3–11) vs 8.5 (6–22) h, respectively.

No complications were reported after the spermatic cord block.

Patient satisfaction was excellent.

CONCLUSIONS

US‐guided spermatic cord block for microscopic vasectomy reversal is highly successful and provides long‐lasting perioperative analgesia.

Times to alimentation, mobilization and hospital discharge are shorter under US‐guided spermatic cord block than under general/neuraxial anaesthesia.

Additional anaesthetic pain management might, however, be required unexpectedly with US‐guided spermatic cord block.