The operation of epididymo-vasostomy for the relief of sterility.

Of 11 men with an epididymal obstruction, seven underwent a unilateral and four a bilateral epididymo-vasostomy. The operations consisted of the formation of a side-to-side epididymo-vasal fistula using silver wire sutures. From these 11 operations, seven patencies resulting in three pregnancies were obtained.

"In this publication Dr Martin also made some important observations. He made it clear that obstruction of the epididymis and subsequent azoospermia could be induced by a single attack of epididymitis. He demonstrated that epididymovasostomy is successful in the treatment of obstructive azoospermia. He also pointed out that azoospermia can be caused in two main ways, namely, not only by obstruction but also by functional disorders of the testis. He also showed that epididymo-vasostomy can only be of value when the vas is patent and that testing vasal patency per-operatively is an important step prior to the completion of the operation" (Anne M. Jequier, "Edward Martin (1859-1938). The founding father of modern clinical andrology," Int. J. Androl., 14 (1991) 1-10).