This is not an exhaustive list but includes some of the common procedures carried out by Ipswich Urology.

Vasectomy - is an operation for male contraception. Performed as a daycase, usually under local anaesthetic. A small incision (cut) is made usually on each side of the scrotum. The vas deferens (drainage tube carrying sperm from the testicle) is identified, disconnected and tied of with a stitch. Vasectomy should not be considered a reversible procedure (also see under key topics for patients ? link).

Reversal of vasectomy - is an operation to rejoin the tubes (vas deferens) that carry the sperm from the testes. The operation is performed under general anaesthetic and is more complicated and technical procedure than vasectomy (also see under key topics for patients link)

Vasovasostomy - is the actual name of the operation for rejoining the tubes (vas deferens) that carry the sperm from the testes. As well as reversal of vasectomy this procedure is also used to treat some other obstructive (blockage) causes of infertility.

Vasoepididymostomy - is the actual name of the operation for joining the tube (vas deferens) that carries the sperm from the testes to the epididymis (sperm storage sac sitting behind the testicle). This procedure is used for reversal of vasectomy and for treatment of some other obstructive (blockage) causes of infertility. It is used when it is not possible to join the tubes (vas deferens) directly back together.

Sperm retrieval for ICSI - can be carried out using a number of methods. ICSI is Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection which is the newest technique for assisted conception (like IVF - In Vitro Fertilisation). It involves direct injection, using a microscopic needle, of a sperm into a human egg (separately retrieved from the female) before replacing in the womb. Men who present with very poor sperm counts can often still have sperm obtained directly from the testes or from the epididymis (sperm storage sac sitting behind the testicle). The procedure to obtain sperm may be performed at the same time as reversal of vasectomy or other procedures for investigation of male infertility. We are able to offer sperm retrieval which can then be frozen, transferred and stored at a local infertility centre. Some men choose to have this performed in case it is needed in the future.

Vasography - is a procedure to inject an x-ray dye (contrast) into the tubes (vas deferens) that carry sperm from the testes. This is performed under general anaesthetic and involves an incision (cut) in the scrotum. It is performed to investigate obstruction in the tubes and is often performed at the same time as testicle biopsy and sperm retrieval.

Testicle biopsy - is a procedure to remove small pieces of tissue from the testicle in order to investigate male infertility (loss of sperm production). This is usually performed in combination with vasography (see above) and can also be used for possible sperm retrieval for ICSI (see above).