Ask the Doctor

From Mike:-
I had a vasectomy 5 months ago and my sperm count has been confirmed as zero, I have a question regarding the clips used in vasectomy, is there any way they can become dislodged or fall off thus leading to recanalization, I use a machine called the power plate regularly in the gym which sends vibrations through the body, could vibrations of this strength possibly cause the clips to dislodge? Is recanalization purely random?

Theoretically, the clips used for a vasectomy can become dislodged or migrate in a variety of situations. However, this is not a common occurrence and one shouldn’t significantly change their lifestyle to prevent this from happening. Most vasectomy procedures are performed with several different maneuvers to prevent re-canalization and the clips are only one of these. Your surgeon also has likely cut out a segment of the vas deferens and cauterized the ends to ensure the long-term dependibility of the procedure. Oftentimes, at the time of vasectomy reversal, we don’t see any ligature remaining at the vasectomy site. Clips and ligature are probably more important in the early post-operative period and eventually the scarring of the tubes is what prevents re-canalization from occurring.