Gainesville, Georgia (PRWEB)

Community urologist John McHugh routinely performs a procedure that most urologists don’t do at all. Although the concept of a vasectomy reversal (removing the vasectomy site scar and reattaching the vas tubes) is simple, the actual performance of the procedure is not. Two issues make a vasectomy reversal unique compared to other procedures that the urologist performs: one the number of couples who desire a reversal is only six percent of those who have had a vasectomy and as a result the number of potential reversals for the average practicing urologist is small, two the procedure involves microscopic suture and use of the operating microscope and as a result there is a steep learning curve. These two factors contribute to the fact that very few urologists perform vasectomy reversals and fewer yet perform it frequently to do it well. Although pregnancy after a reversal is multifactorial it all begins with the quality of the joining of the two ends of the vas deferens in a tension free and watertight fashion and this in turn highlights the importance of an experienced surgeon.

“Although I have done reversals for over twenty-five years, the opening our Urological Ambulatory Surgery Center in 2009 has added the dimension of making the procedure more cost effective and efficient for the patient. We have the same suture, operating microscope, microscopic instrumentation and staff without the expense of the hospital,” says Dr. McHugh.

Dr. McHugh performs the procedure using a modified two layer anastomosis using microscopic suture, a Zeiss operating microscope with anesthesia provided by a Board Certified Anesthesiologist. His surgery center is accredited adding safety of the patient to the benefits the reversal he performs.

“Few urologists perform microscopic vasectomy reversals routinely because the number of patients who desire it is small. If you add to this the cost of having it performed in a hospital and the fact that the procedure is not covered by insurance, you can see how the patients become very selective. In addition, the patient must undergo the expense and inconvenience of this procedure and rightfully wants the best chance of pregnancy. Few urologists meet the criteria of providing both acceptable cost and the experience to assure optimal results,” adds Dr. McHugh.

Dr. McHugh uses a technique in which the tube inside each vas deferens is joined by using six 9-0 microscopic sutures, which are smaller than a hair in diameter, making the use of a microscope a necessity. The outer layer is then joined with additional sutures assuring a watertight connection.

The procedure involves two small upper scrotal incisions and takes between two and half and three hours to perform. Success of the procedure is affected by the length of time between the procedure and when the vasectomy was done. Historical data regarding success rates depending on when the vasectomy was performed is on the reversal page of his practice website-ngurology.com.

Dr. McHugh offers a free consultation to couples considering having a vasectomy reversal and complimentary hotel accommodations for out of town patients who desire it.

“The microscopic vasectomy reversal has become for me the most enjoyable and rewarding procedure I perform as a urologist.” – Dr. John McHugh

Dr. McHugh has written several books available on Amazon and has  practiced urology in Gainesville, Georgia for twenty nine years. His interests include history, writing, dogs, water and fishing.