OBJECTIVE: Iatrogenic injury to the vas deferens is a well-documented complication of inguinal hernia repair. Recently obstruction related to the use of polypropylene mesh for hernia repair has been reported. We describe a case using laparoscopy to mobilize the retroperitoneal vas and deliver it to the healthy vas proximal to the vas trapped in the cicatrix induced by mesh thus allowing a tension-free microsurgical repair. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING: Outpatient male infertility practice. PATIENT(S): Obstructed azoospermic men with polypropylene mesh. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic retrieval of retroperitoneal vas segment for primary microsurgical anastomosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patency of vas and presence of sperm. RESULT(S): A tension-free, patent anastomosis was performed. CONCLUSION(S): Polypropylene mesh-induced fibrosis of the vas deferens can result in obstructive azospermia. Laparoscopy can be used to permit a microsurgical bypass of the obstructed segment.
OBJECTIVE:Iatrogenic injury to the vas deferens is a well-documented complication of inguinal hernia repair. Recently obstruction related to the use of polypropylene mesh for hernia repair has been reported. We describe a case using laparoscopy to mobilize the retroperitoneal vas and deliver it to the healthy vas proximal to the vas trapped in the cicatrix induced by mesh thus allowing a tension-free microsurgical repair. DESIGN: Case report. SETTING:Outpatient male infertility practice. PATIENT(S): Obstructed azoospermic men with polypropylene mesh. INTERVENTION(S): Laparoscopic retrieval of retroperitoneal vas segment for primary microsurgical anastomosis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Patency of vas and presence of sperm. RESULT(S): A tension-free, patent anastomosis was performed. CONCLUSION(S): Polypropylene mesh-induced fibrosis of the vas deferens can result in obstructive azospermia. Laparoscopy can be used to permit a microsurgical bypass of the obstructed segment.