STUDY QUESTION Does vasectomy impact microRNA (miRNA) expression in the epididymis and seminal microvesicles (SMVs) in a non-reversible manner? SUMMARY ANSWER The miRNA signature in the epididymis and SMVs is altered by vasectomy and only partially restored after vasovasostomy surgery. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Vasectomy modifies the epididymal transcriptome and triggers non-reversible changes ...

Chronic orchialgia is one of the most common complaints seen in the urologists office and has traditionally been considered a very difficult diagnostic and therapeutic challenge for the clinician. First line management of chronic orchialgia is conservative treatment; however, in men who fail conservative therapy, surgical intervention may be indicated. Microsurgery has been the mainstay for sur...

INTRODUCTION In line with the effort to evaluate feasible surgical options for vasectomy reversal and to increase patients' willingness to undergo the procedure, this study reported on a technique for ambulatory mini-incision microsurgical vasovasostomy using a double-ringed clamp (i.e. Moon's clamp). This technique does not require the use of dilators, approximators and other accessory devices...

The article by Amanda Davies and Charlotte Fleming describes what we have been practising for many years. We have run a direct access service dealing with over 4000 patients. The service has been well received with 96% of a sample grading it as good or excellent. We do not see the need for a preoperative consultation and agree with the authors that this does not add any quality to the service o...