ArticlePDF Available

Efficacy of Intraoperative Mitomycin-C in Vasovasostomy Procedure: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Authors:

Abstract and Figures

Background: Two-six percentage of vasectomized men will ultimately seek vasectomy reversal, which late stricture and obstruction after operation are relatively common. To find a method for improving vasovasostomy outcomes, we used intra-operative local mitomycin-C (MMC) preventing possible fibrosis and stricture. Materials and methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 44 patients were assigned to two groups randomly during a one-year study and the data of 40 patients were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery. The case group (n=19) was treated by vasovasostomy with intra-operative local MMC. The control group (n=21) underwent standard vasovasostomy. Results: Mean sperm count in MMC group was significantly higher than the controls. The sperm count of more than 20 million/ml was respectively 53% and 14% in MMC and control groups. In a subgroup where the interval between vasectomy and reversal was 5-10 years, post-reversal azoospermia was absent in MMC group, but 50% of the controls were still azoospermic. In addition, 80% of MMC group had more than 20 million/ml sperms, but all of the controls had less than 20 million/ml sperms. No significant complication was seen. Conclusion: Intra-operative local MMC in vasovasostomy can be regarded as a safe and efficient technique which has several advantages including lower cost. Increase of sperm count is the main effect of local MMC application that is more prominent when the interval between vasectomy and reversal is 5-10 years (Registration number: IRCT2015092324166N1).
Content may be subject to copyright.
Original Article
240
Efficacy of Intraoperative Mitomycin-C in Vasovasostomy
Procedure: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Farzad Allameh, M.D., M.P.H.1*, Jalil Hosseini, M.D.2, Hamidreza Qashqai, M.D.3, Hamzeh Mazaherylaghab, Ph.D.4
1. Urology and Nephrology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2. Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center (MHRHRC), Reconstructive Urology Department, Shohada-e-Tajrish
Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3. Urology Department, Imam Sajjad Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahriar, Iran
4. Faculty of Medicine, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Hamedan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Two-six percentage of vasectomized men will ultimately seek vasectomy reversal, which late stricture
and obstruction after operation are relatively common. To nd a method for improving vasovasostomy outcomes, we
used intra-operative local mitomycin-C (MMC) preventing possible brosis and stricture.
Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 44 patients were assigned to two groups randomly during
a one-year study and the data of 40 patients were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 6 months after surgery.
The case group (n=19) was treated by vasovasostomy with intra-operative local MMC. The control group (n=21)
underwent standard vasovasostomy.
Results: Mean sperm count in MMC group was signicantly higher than the controls. The sperm count of more than
20 million/ml was respectively 53% and 14% in MMC and control groups. In a subgroup where the interval between
vasectomy and reversal was 5-10 years, post-reversal azoospermia was absent in MMC group, but 50% of the controls
were still azoospermic. In addition, 80% of MMC group had more than 20 million/ml sperms, but all of the controls
had less than 20 million/ml sperms. No signicant complication was seen.
Conclusion: Intra-operative local MMC in vasovasostomy can be regarded as a safe and efcient technique which
has several advantages including lower cost. Increase of sperm count is the main effect of local MMC applica-
tion that is more prominent when the interval between vasectomy and reversal is 5-10 years (Registration number:
IRCT2015092324166N1).
Keywords: Clinical Trial, Mitomycin C, Sperm Count, Vasectomy Reversal, Vasovasostomy
Citation: Allameh F, Hosseini J, Qashqai H, Mazaherylaghab H. Efcacy of intraoperative mitomycin-C in vasovasostomy procedure: a randomized clinical trial.
Int J Fertil Steril. 2019; 13(3): 240-244. doi: 10.22074/ijfs.2019.5664.
Introduction
Approximately 6-8% of married couples (about 42-60 mil-
lion men), experience vasectomy as contraception (1). Sur-
veys suggest that 2-6% of vasectomized men will ultimately
seek for vasectomy reversal (2). The most common indica-
tions for vasectomy reversal are divorce, death of spouse or
child and relief from post-vasectomy pain syndrome (3).
A meta-analysis on 32 studies about vasovasostomy with
6633 patients revealed that mean post-procedure patency
and pregnancy rates were 89.4 and 73.0%, respectively, with
the mean obstruction interval of 7.2 years. No statistically
signicant difference in vasovasostomy outcomes was seen
in the comparison of single versus multilayer anastomosis.
Obstructive interval less than 10 years was a predictor of
higher patency and pregnancy rates (4). Other analyses and
studies had less patency or pregnancy rates, 60-86% and 25-
53%, respectively (5-7). The main predictors for success of
the reversal procedure were the time between vasectomy and
reversal, as well as female partner age (6, 8). History of con-
ception with the current partner versus remarriage (7), aver-
age testicular volume (9), presence of a sperm granuloma,
use of surgical clips instead of suture at vasectomy, presence
and quality of vasal uid and sperm in vasal uid during
surgical exploration, in addition to increased α-glucosidase
in the postoperative semen also had a favorable impact on
patency (5, 10). Some studies reported that smoking of the
male or female partner and obstructive interval did not cor-
relate with postoperative success (7, 11).
The most common early complication of vasovasostomy
is hematoma. The hematomas are perivasal and very small,
thus they usually require no surgical drainage. Wound infec-
tion is another possible early complication. Late complica-
tions include sperm granuloma at the anastomotic site (5%).
Late stricture and obstruction are relatively common (12-
Received: 15/July/2018, Accepted: 19/January/2019
*Corresponding Address: P.O.Box: 1666663111, Urology and Nephrology Re-
search Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Email: farzadallameh@sbmu.ac.ir Royan Institute
International Journal of Fertility and Sterility
Vol 13, No 3, October-December 2019, Pages: 240-244
Int J Fertil Steril, Vol 13, No 3, October-December 2019 241
18% in 12 months). With microsurgical techniques, patency
can reach to 70-90% (12). Some newer techniques are intro-
duced to obtain better results including laser tissue solder-
ing (13), angled cutting for increasing vasal surface area, in-
creasing neovascularity and decreasing brosis (14), using a
double-ringed instrument designed to facilitate handling and
dissecting vas away from perivasal tissue in an atraumatic
fashion (15) and application of the brin glue (16).
Several surgeons have used mitomycin-C (MMC) as
an antibrotic adjunct to ab-externo trabeculectomy and
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR). It seems that intra-oper-
ative local MMC with a controlled concentration is a safe
agent for reducing brosis (17, 18). MMC is an antimi-
totic and cytotoxic agent that crosslinks DNA. This agent
inhibits DNA synthesis, cellular RNA synthesis and nu-
clear division. MMC also induces apoptosis and inhibits
protein synthesis by hampering synthesis of the collagen
using broblasts (19-22). In animal models, studies on
grafted tissue in mice have revealed that the differentia-
tion of grafts was signicantly inhibited by MMC (23).
In human studies, broblasts showed a dramatic struc-
tural response to MMC, including intracellular edema,
pleomorphic and vesicular mitochondria changes, dilat-
ed smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, as well as
chromatin condensation (24).
Evidence for MMC-induced carcinogenicity is consid-
ered sufcient for animals, but inadequate for humans. As
such, MMC is classied by International Agency for Re-
search on Cancer (IARC) as possibly carcinogenic agent
to humans (group 2B). A meta-analysis studied the effect
of varying concentrations of MMC and treatment dura-
tions on cellular proliferation and viability of the bro-
blasts. They found MMC at 0.4 mg/ml beyond the 5 min-
utes, and 0.5 mg/ml concentration at all time-points were
lethal and caused extensive cell deaths, compared to con-
trols. The minimum effective concentration appeared to
be 0.2 mg/ml for 3 minutes (25). In a systematic review,
it was found that intra-operative MMC adjunct in trab-
eculectomy appears to reduce the relative risk of failure,
and no signicant increase in permanent sight-threatening
complications was detected. They reported that MMC
was administered intra-operatively in concentrations of
0.1-0.5 mg/ml concentrations of saline for durations vary-
ing from 1-5 minutes (26). Local injection of MMC in
the site of Internal Ureterotomy (IU) was also studied by
several groups, reported that submucosal MMC injection
reduced the stricture rate from 50% to 10%, after IU (27).
The important point is that all of the previous studies
have examined MMC as an anti-brotic agent for oph-
thalmologic surgeries and internal urethrotomies. But
intra-operative local MMC has not been studied in vaso-
vasostomy yet. Therefore, our study is performed to de-
termine the overall safety and efcacy of intra-operative
local MMC as the anti-brotic agent in vasovasostomy.
Materials and Methods
In this randomized clinical trial, 58 patients, visited for
vasectomy reversal in Shohada-e-Tajrish Hospital (Teh-
ran, Iran) between January and October 2016, were en-
rolled.
Patient and public involvement statement
The main priority of these patients was to have the op-
portunity of becoming a father. It was indicated to the
patients that this method may not improve the outcome
of vasovasostomy procedure and they preferred to partici-
pate in this trial. All patients were fully informed about
the method of trial and subsequently they were blindly
sub-grouped. All recruited and conducted participants
were informed about the trial results by email after data
analysis.
In this randomized controlled trial (RCT) the burden of
the intervention such as pain and surgical site infection,
or hematoma were assessed by patients and also residents
of urology in the outpatient clinic and they were then re-
corded in our database.
Inclusion criterion was ‘males who underwent vasec-
tomy and wanted reversal of vasectomy. Exclusion crite-
ria were testicular atrophy, history of urethral or bladder
neck surgery, history of previous vasovasostomy, history
of scrotal region radiotherapy, history of chemotherapy,
age of partner out of fertility range and any situation sug-
gesting the need for vasoepididymostomy.
Six patients had testicular atrophy, history of previ-
ous vasovasostomy and age of their partners was out of
fertility range. Eight patients were candidates for vasoe-
pididymostomy, because of previous scrotal surgery or
manipulation like percutaneous sperm aspiration (PESA).
Hence, all of them were excluded from the allocation.
Finally, 44 consecutive patients were allocated randomly
into two groups: the case group (n=22) was candidate for
vasovasostomy in addition to intra-operative local MMC.
The control group (n=22) was allocated for standard vasova-
sostomy. Randomization was performed by a random num-
ber table and opaque envelopes were used for allocation.
The primary endpoints included presence of sperm in
semen, sperm count more than 20 million/ml, sperm mo-
tility rate and normal morphology rate in sperms. The sec-
ondary endpoints include hematoma, inammatory reac-
tion, tissue necrosis and any sign of surgical site infection.
As mentioned before, all patients were informed about the
disease, method of study and treatment possibilities. They
had been informed about the possible complications and
other applicable managements. Then, an informed con-
sent was taken from each patient.
The proposal of this study was approved by Shahid
Beheshti Medical University (SBMU) Ethical Commit-
tee (IR.SBMU.MSP.REC.1395.100) and research board
of Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center
(IRHRC). Ethical issues were respected based on Dec-
laration of Helsinki. The RCT was approved and docu-
mented by IRCT (IRCT2015092324166N1).
Allameh et al.
Int J Fertil Steril, Vol 13, No 3, October-December 2019
242
Initial pre-operative evaluations included detailed medi-
cal history, complete physical examination and sperm anal-
ysis. In MMC group, pre-operation evaluation included
laboratory tests and cardiovascular consultation. In the op-
erating room, under spinal anesthesia, the procedure was
carried out using bilateral high vertical incision of scrotum.
After nding each vas deferens and preparing the site of
anastomosis, two ends of vas deferens were oated in 0.2
mg/ml MMC solution for 5 minutes, and they were then
washed by normal saline. Finally, anastomosis was per-
formed microscopically (CARL ZEISS F170 T surgical
microscope binoculars 10×/22B; Zeiss, Germany) using
modied two-layered vasovasostomy. Two 5-0 poly-pro-
pylene sutures were placed at 5 and 7 o’clock positions in
the sero-muscular layer to approximate two ends of the vas.
Next, four 8-0 poly-propylene sutures were sequentially
placed inside out in the mucosa of the vasal ends, at 3, 6, 9,
and 12 o’clock positions and tied up. Two additional sero-
muscular sutures were placed at 1 and 11 o’clock positions
to complete the anastomosis. In the control group, vaso-
vasostomy procedure was carried out as the MMC group,
except for oatation in MMC solution. All surgeries were
performed by the same surgical team.
Upon nishing the procedure, patients in both groups
were in complete bed rest the day after operation. The
second day after surgery, they were discharged provid-
ing the tests and general condition were normal. Patients
were advised to have relative rest at home for two weeks,
avoiding intercourse for one month and to have scrotal
support for at least one week. The patients were informed
about possible early and late complications, in addition
to the time of next necessary following up visits. The pa-
tients were followed up at 1, 3, and 6 months after sur-
gery by a complete history and a physical examination to
monitor the complications (hematoma, inammatory re-
action, tissue necrosis and any sign of operation failure).
Sperm analysis was also performed 1 and 6 months after
surgery for measuring patency (presence of sperm in se-
men), sperm count, sperm morphology and motility.
These data were gathered and documented via check-
lists consisting demographical data which include the
interval between vasectomy and vasovasostomy, intra-
operative local MMC application, sperm analysis results
and any complication related to the procedure. In MMC
group, during the procedure, two patients were not com-
patible with the inclusion criteria, since they were candi-
date for vasoepididymostomy. So, they were omitted from
the study and 20 patients received allocated intervention.
In this group one patient lost the follow up. Finally, the
data of 19 patients were analyzed. In the control group, all
of the 22 patients received allocated intervention. During
follow up, one patient immigrated to another city and he
was out of reach. Therefore, the data of 21 patients were
analyzed. Figure 1 shows the CONSORT ow-diagram of
the data in this study. The data analysis method was per-
protocol and performed by SPSS (version 23.0) software
(SPSS, Chicago, USA). Fisher exact test, Independent t
test, chi-square test and likelihood ratio chi square test
were used to compare and analyze the data. P value sig-
nicance level was dened as 0.05.
Fig.1: CONSORT 2010 ow-diagram.
Assessed for eligibility (n=58)
Excluded (n=14)
Testicular atrophy (n=2)
Previous vasovasostomy (n=3)
Spouse’s age out of range (n=1)
Candidate for vasoepididymostomy (n=8)
Randomized (n=44)
Allocated to MMC (n=22)
received allocated intervention (n=20)
did not received allocated intervention
(n=2, who underwent
vasoepididymostomy)
Allocated to standard vasovasostomy
(n=22)
received allocated intervention (n=22)
did not received allocated intervention
(n=0)
Lost to follow-up (n=1, due to change in
medical center)
Discontinued intervention (n=0)
Lost to follow-up (n=1, due to
immigration to another city)
Discontinued intervention (n=0)
Analyzed (n=19)
Excluded from analysis (n=0) Analyzed (n=21)
Excluded from analysis (n=0)
Enrollment
Allocation
Follow-up
Analysis
Vasovasostomy Using MMC
Int J Fertil Steril, Vol 13, No 3, October-December 2019 243
Results
Mean age in MMC group and control group was 39.95
(± 5.55) and 40.95 (± 6.65) years, respectively (P=0.609,
Table 1). There was no early or late surgical complication
in our allocated patients. Six months after surgery, mean
sperm motility in MMC and the control group was iden-
tical (27.05 and 18.71% respectively, P=0.118). Normal
morphology rate was also the same (20.05 and 17.05%
respectively, P=0.559) (Table 1). Mean sperm count in
MMC group was higher than the controls (23.5 and 9.4
million/ml) (P=0.023), and sperm count more than 20
million/ml in MMC and the control group was 53 and
14%, respectively (P=0.017). These differences were sig-
nicant, but post reversal azoospermia in the two groups
was not different (21% in MMC group and 43% in con-
trols, P=0.186) (Table 1).
Then, we analyzed data in three subgroups based on the
interval between vasectomy and reversal (less than 5, 5-10
and more than 10 years). In the rst subgroup (less than
5 years interval), post reversal azoospermia (P=0.429)
and sperm count more than 20 million/ml (P=0.429) in
MMC and control groups were not statistically different.
In the second subgroup (5-10 years interval), post reversal
azoospermia was absent in MMC group, but 50% of the
controls were still azoospermic (P=0.023). In addition,
80% of MMC group had more than 20 million/ml sperms,
but all of the controls had less than 20 million/ml sperms
(P=0.001). In the third subgroup (more than 10 years of
interval), there was no statistical difference in post rever-
sal azoospermia (P=1.000), and sperm count more than
20 million/ml (P=0.560) in the two groups (Table 2).
Discussion
Intra-operative MMC application is described for
DCR, trabeculectomy, and some urological surgeries.
All of these reports emphasized that MMC, as a local
antibrotic agent, is effective and safe. This trial, for the
rst time, demonstrates the effects of local intra-opera-
tive MMC in vasovasostomy. We cannot use previous
trial estimate the best sample size. So we conducted a pi-
lot study to nd if any benet exist using intra-operative
MMC in vasectomy reversal. It seems that the increase
of sperm count is the main effect of local intra-operative
MMC in vasovasostomy, but it has no effect on sperm
motility and morphology. This effect is more prominent
in both patency and sperm count more than 20 million/
ml; especially, in a subgroup with 5-10 years of interval
between vasectomy and reversal. If the interval is less
than 5 years or more than 10 years, MMC application
has no benet in the reversal outcomes. It is important
that MMC application has lower cost in comparison
with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) or other
new techniques described for vasovasostomy, and it has
Table 1: Primary data analysis
Group Mean age (Y) Normal
morphology (%)
Motile sperms
(%)
Sperm count Mean sperm count
(m/ml)
Patency
<20 M/ml >20 M/ml Azoospermia Sperm present
MMC 39.95 ± 5.553 20.05 ± 14.69 27.05 ± 16.98 9 (47) 10 (53) (23.6 ± 2.3)×1064 (21) 15 (79)
Control 40.95 ± 6.659 17.05 ± 17 18.71 ± 15.96 18 (86) 3 (14) (9.4 ± 1.4)×1069 (43) 12 (57)
P value 0.609 0.559 0.118 0.017 0.023 0.186
Data are presented as mean ± SD or n (%). MMC; Mitomycin-C.
Table 2: Data analysis based on post-vasectomy interval
Group Patency Sperm count
Sperm present Azoospermia >20 M/ml*<20 M/ml
Interval<5 Y (n=7)
MMC 2 (50) 2 (50) 0 4 (100)
Control 3 (100) 01 (33) 2 (67)
P value 0.092 0.166
5 Y<interval<10 Y (n=18)
MMC 10 (100) 08 (80) 2 (20)
Control 4 (50) 4 (50) 0 8 (100)
P value 0.005 0.0001
Interval>10 Y (n=15)
MMC 3 (60) 2 (40) 2 (40) 3 (60)
Control 5 (50) 5 (50) 2 (20) 8 (80)
P value 0.714 0.417
Data are presented as n (%). *; Likelihood ratio chi square test, MMC; Mitomycin C, and Y; Year.
Allameh et al.
Int J Fertil Steril, Vol 13, No 3, October-December 2019
244
no side effects if the concentration is controlled. It needs
no special training and the time of surgery is relatively
the same as standard vasovasostomy.
The main limitations of our study are small sample size,
the use of very low concentration of MMC, relatively
short follow up term and not enough follow up to study
the pregnancy rate.
Conclusion
Intra-operative local MMC in vasovasostomy can be re-
garded as a safe and efcient technique which has several
advantages including lower cost. Increase of sperm count
is the main effect of local MMC application that is more
prominent when the interval between vasectomy and re-
versal is 5-10 years. However, further studies should be
conducted with larger sample sizes and different MMC
dosage, longer durations, and multi-center sampling to at-
tain more denite results.
Acknowledgements
There was no funding support and conict of interest in
this study.
Authors' Contributions
F.A.; Proposed the idea of the project, and also designed
and performed the analysis. H.Q.; Completed the study
protocols and wrote the manuscript. H.M.; Edited the
manu script, J.H.; Supervised all steps of the project. All
authors read and approved the nal manuscript.
References
1. Pile JM, Barone MA. Demographics of vasectomy--USA and inter-
national. Urol Clin North Am. 2009; 36(3): 295-305.
2. Belker AM, Thomas AJ Jr, Fuchs EF, Konnak JW, Sharlip ID. Re-
sults of 1,469 microsurgical vasectomy reversals by the Vasova-
sostomy Study Group. J Urol. 1991; 145(3): 505-511.
3. Potts JM, Pasqualotto FF, Nelson D, Thomas AJ Jr., Agarwal A.
Patient characteristics associated with vasectomy reversal. J Urol.
1999; 161(6): 1835-1839.
4. Herrel LA, Goodman M, Goldstein M, Hsiao W. Outcomes of micro-
surgical vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal: a meta-analysis
and systematic review. Urology. 2015; 85(4): 819-825.
5. Bolduc S, Fischer MA, Deceuninck G, Thabet M. Factors predicting
overall success: a review of 747 microsurgical vasovasostomies.
Can Urol Assoc J. 2007; 1(4): 388-394.
6. Nalesnik JG, Sabanegh ES Jr. Vasovasostomy: multiple children
and long-term pregnancy rates. Curr Surg. 2003; 60(3): 348-350.
7. Hernandez J, Sabanegh ES. Repeat vasectomy reversal after ini-
tial failure: overall results and predictors for success. J Urol. 1999;
161(4): 1153-1156.
8. Kolettis PN, Sabanegh ES, D'Amico AM, Box L, Sebesta M, Burns
JR. Outcomes for vasectomy reversal performed after obstructive
intervals of at least 10 years. Urology. 2002; 60(5): 885-888.
9. Hsiao W, Goldstein M, Rosoff JS, Piccorelli A, Kattan MW, Green-
wood EA, et al. Nomograms to predict patency after microsurgical
vasectomy reversal. J Urol. 2012; 187(2): 607-612.
10. Boorjian S, Lipkin M, Goldstein M. The impact of obstructive in-
terval and sperm granuloma on outcome of vasectomy reversal. J
Urol. 2004; 171(1): 304-306.
11. van Dongen J, Tekle FB, van Roijen JH. Pregnancy rate after va-
sectomy reversal in a contemporary series: inuence of smoking,
semen quality and post-surgical use of assisted reproductive tech-
niques. BJU Int. 2012; 110(4): 562-567.
12. Lee HS, Seo JT. Advances in surgical treatment of male infertility.
World J Mens Health. 2012; 30(2): 108-113.
13. Seaman EK, Kim ED, Kirsch AJ, Pan YC, Lewitton S, Lipshultz LI.
Results of laser tissue soldering in vasovasostomy and epididymo-
vasostomy: experience in the rat animal model. J Urol. 1997;
158(2): 642-645.
14. Crosnoe LE, Kim ED, Perkins AR, Marks MB, Burrows PJ, Marks
SH. Angled vas cutter for vasovasostomy: technique and results.
Fertil Steril. 2014; 101(3): 636-639. e2.
15. Moon HJ. Minimally invasive vas surgery using a newly designed
double-ringed clamp. World J Urol. 2010; 28(2): 205-208.
16. Vankemmel O, Rigot JM, Burnouf T, Mazeman E. Delayed vaso-
vasostomy: experimental study using brin glue. Eur Urol. 1997;
31(2): 182-186.
17. Feng YF, Yu JG, Shi JL, Huang JH, Sun YL, Zhao YE. A meta-anal-
ysis of primary external dacryocystorhinostomy with and without
mitomycin C. Ophthalmic Epidemiol. 2012; 19(6): 364-370.
18. Cheng SM, Feng YF, Xu L, Li Y, Huang JH. Efcacy of mitomycin
C in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy: a systematic review and
meta-analysis. PLoS One. 2013; 8(5): e62737.
19. Mladenov E, Tsaneva I, Anachkova B. Activation of the S phase
DNA damage checkpoint by mitomycin C. J Cell Physiol. 2007;
211(2): 468-476.
20. Park IC, Park MJ, Hwang CS, Rhee CH, Whang DY, Jang JJ, et
al. Mitomycin C induces apoptosis in a caspases-dependent and
Fas/CD95-independent manner in human gastric adenocarcinoma
cells. Cancer Lett. 2000; 158(2): 125-132.
21. Sasaki M, Okamura M, Ideo A, Shimada J, Suzuki F, Ishihara M,
et al. Re-evaluation of tumor-specic cytotoxicity of mitomycin C,
bleomycin and peplomycin. Anticancer Res. 2006; 26(5A): 3373-
3380.
22. Nair AG, Ali MJ. Mitomycin-C in dacryocystorhinostomy: From ex-
perimentation to implementation and the road ahead: A review. In-
dian J Ophthalmol. 2015; 63(4): 335-339.
23. Shiota K, Uwabe C, Yamamoto M, Arishima K. Teratogenic drugs
inhibit the differentiation of fetal rat limb buds grafted in athymic
(nude) mice. Reprod Toxicol. 1990; 4(2): 95-103.
24. Ali MJ, Baig F, Lakshman M, Naik MN. Electron microscopic fea-
tures of nasal mucosa treated with topical and circumostial injec-
tion of mitomycin C: implications in dacryocystorhinostomy. Oph-
thal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015; 31(2): 103-107.
25. Ali MJ, Mariappan I, Maddileti S, Ali MH, Naik MN. Mitomycin C in
dacryocystorhinostomy: the search for the right concentration and
duration--a fundamental study on human nasal mucosa broblasts.
Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg. 2013; 29(6): 469-474.
26. Wilkins M, Indar A, Wormald R. Intra-operative mitomycin C for
glaucoma surgery. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005; (4):
CD002897.
27. Mazdak H, Meshki I, Ghassami F. Effect of mitomycin C on anterior
urethral stricture recurrence after internal urethrotomy. Eur Urol.
2007; 51(4): 1089-1092; discussion 1092.
Vasovasostomy Using MMC
... Mitomycin-C is an anti-fibrotic agent that was predicted to reduce stricture formation and fibrosis, thereby improving patency. They found a significantly higher average sperm count (p = 0.0001) and patency (p = 0.005), which was more prominent if the time between vasectomy and vasectomy reversal was 5-10 years [38]. As technology advances, it will be important to scrutinize emerging data to see which additional agents are found to improve clinical outcomes. ...
Article
Full-text available
Purpose of review Vasectomy is a commonly performed outpatient procedure for male contraception with high success and low failure rates. Vasectomy reversal permits couples desiring the ability to conceive naturally after vasectomy to avoid assisted reproductive technology in many cases. Our review discusses current and emerging vasectomy and vasectomy reversal practices, techniques, and outcomes. Recent Findings Various vasectomy techniques have been utilized for vas isolation and occlusion, most notably the no-scalpel vasectomy with intraluminal cauterization and fascial interposition. There are few comparative studies between vasectomy techniques, making it difficult to determine the optimal operative approach. Overall compliance rates with post-vasectomy semen analyses are low, complicating study of vasectomy success rates. The most common methods for reversal include vasovasostomy and vasoepididymostomy, each with their own range of techniques. With recent technological advancements, many novel approaches and tools have been employed to improve patency and pregnancy success such as robotic techniques and anti-fibrotic agents. In addition, there are many patient and partner factors that can affect vasectomy and vasectomy reversal outcomes. Vasectomy reversals need to be approached algorithmically with outcomes assessed based on technique and time since vasectomy. Summary Further research across multiple institutions is needed comparing outcomes of novel vasectomy and vasectomy reversal to traditional approaches. Emerging non-surgical options for male contraception will play an important role in the practice of urologists in future years.
... A randomized clinical trial published several years ago aims to improve the outcomes following VR by using intra-operative local mitomycin-C (MMC) to prevent common sexual complications, late stricture, and obstruction. Among several advantages that refer to costs and increase in the sperm count, intra-operative MMC appears to be safe and efficient in vasovasostomy in the first five to ten years [211]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Male contraceptive approaches besides tubal sterilization involve vasectomy and represent the method of choice among midlife men in developing countries thanks to many advantages. However, the subsidiary consequences of this intervention are insufficiently explored since the involved mechanisms may offer insight into a much more complex picture. Methods: Thus, in this manuscript, we aimed to reunite all available data by searching three separate academic database(s) (PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus) published in the past two decades by covering the interval 2000-2023 and using a predefined set of keywords and strings involving "oxidative stress" (OS), "inflammation", and "semen microbiota" in combination with "humans", "rats", and "mice". Results: By following all evidence that fits in the pre-, post-, and vasectomy reversal (VR) stages, we identified a total of n = 210 studies from which only n = 21 were finally included following two procedures of eligibility evaluation. Conclusions: The topic surrounding this intricate landscape has created debate since the current evidence is contradictory, limited, or does not exist. Starting from this consideration, we argue that further research is mandatory to decipher how a vasectomy might disturb homeostasis.
Article
Full-text available
Background and objectives Vasovasostomy is a cost-effective procedure for the reversal of vasectomy. A water-tight adequately blood-supplied mucosal anastomosis is required for better outcomes. This review aimed to compare the outcome of vasovasostomy performed by three different techniques: macroscopic, pure microsurgical, and robot-assisted microsurgical techniques. Methods Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant studies from January 1901 to June 2023. We conducted our quantitative syntheses using the inverse variance method in OpenMeta software. The study's protocol was registered on PROSPERO. Results This review involved 95 studies of different designs, with a total sample size of 48,132. The majority of operations were performed bilaterally, and participants were monitored for up to 10 years. The pooled patency rate was the highest following robot-assisted vasovasostomy (94.4%), followed by pure microsurgical vasovasostomy (87.5%), and macroscopic vasovasostomy (83.7%). The pooled pregnancy rate following purely microsurgical vasovasostomy was higher than that of macroscopic vasovasostomy (47.4 vs. 43.7%). Definitive pregnancy rates in robotic vasovasostomy are yet to be determined. Conclusion Patency outcomes for vasovasostomy were best with robot-assisted microsurgical technique, followed by pure microsurgical technique, and conventional macroscopic technique. Further investigations of robot-assisted microsurgical vasovasostomy outcomes and randomized control trials are required to support this evidence.
Article
Full-text available
Purpose: To evaluate the ultrastructural effects of topical and circumostial injection of mitomycin C (COS-MMC) on nasal mucosa and compare them with the controls. The study also aimed at classifying the subcellular effects in detail. Methods: The nasal mucosa of 6 patients were subjected to 0.02% of mitomycin C for 3 minutes (3 patients) and 0.02% COS-MMC (3 patients) as per standard protocol, during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Normal nasal mucosa from untreated areas (2 each from topical and COS-MMC groups) were taken as controls after harvesting the treated areas. Full thickness tissues (5 mm × 5 mm) were collected for transmission electron microscopy, and ultrastructural effects were evaluated. Results: Both topical and COS-MMC showed significant and distinct ultrastructural changes involving the epithelial, glandular, vascular, and fibrocollagenous tissues compared with the controls. There were profound changes within fibroblasts with intracellular edema, pleomorphic and vesicular mitochondria, dilated smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and chromatin condensation. In addition, COSMMC samples showed subepithelial hypocellularity with limited disorganization of structure. The changes in both the MMC groups were restricted to treated areas only. Conclusions: Both topical and COS-MMC show profound changes in nasal mucosa with more marked changes in COSMMC group. These changes being limited in nature may help in enhancing the success of dacryocystorhinostomy by preventing cicatricial changes of the ostium, especially in high-risk cases such as revision and post-traumatic dacryocystorhinostomy.
Article
Full-text available
Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the procedure of choice in patients with epiphora due to primary acquired nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The evolution of surgical tools, fiber-optic endoscopes, effective anesthesia techniques, and the adjunct use of antimetabolites intraoperatively; namely mitomycin-C (MMC) have significantly contributed to the advancement of DCR surgery. MMC is a systemic chemotherapeutic agent derived from Streptomyces caespitosus that inhibits the synthesis of DNA, cellular RNA, and protein by inhibiting the synthesis of collagen by fibroblasts. Even the cellular changes in the human nasal mucosal fibroblasts induced by MMC at an ultrastructural level have been documented. There, however, seems to be a lack of consensus regarding MMC: The dosage, the route of delivery/application, the time of exposure and subsequently what role each of these variables plays in the final outcome of the surgery. In this review, an attempt is made to objectively examine all the evidence regarding the role of MMC in DCR. MMC appears to improve the success rate of DCR.
Article
Full-text available
Purpose: To evaluate the ultrastructural effects of topical and circumostial injection of mitomycin C (COS-MMC) on nasal mucosa and compare them with the controls. The study also aimed at classifying the subcellular effects in detail. Methods: The nasal mucosa of 6 patients were subjected to 0.02% of mitomycin C for 3 minutes (3 patients) and 0.02% COS-MMC (3 patients) as per standard protocol, during endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy. Normal nasal mucosa from untreated areas (2 each from topical and COS-MMC groups) were taken as controls after harvesting the treated areas. Full thickness tissues (5 mm × 5 mm) were collected for transmission electron microscopy, and ultrastructural effects were evaluated. Results: Both topical and COS-MMC showed significant and distinct ultrastructural changes involving the epithelial, glandular, vascular, and fibrocollagenous tissues compared with the controls. There were profound changes within fibroblasts with intracellular edema, pleomorphic and vesicular mitochondria, dilated smooth and rough endoplasmic reticulum, and chromatin condensation. In addition, COS-MMC samples showed subepithelial hypocellularity with limited disorganization of structure. The changes in both the MMC groups were restricted to treated areas only. Conclusions: Both topical and COS-MMC show profound changes in nasal mucosa with more marked changes in COS-MMC group. These changes being limited in nature may help in enhancing the success of dacryocystorhinostomy by preventing cicatricial changes of the ostium, especially in high-risk cases such as revision and post-traumatic dacryocystorhinostomy.
Article
Full-text available
To establish primary cultures of human nasal mucosal fibroblasts (HNMFs) and to test the effect of varying concentrations of mitomycin C (MMC) and treatment durations on cellular proliferation and viability of the fibroblasts. Laboratory investigation. Nasal mucosa harvested from patients undergoing a dacryocystorhinostomy was used to establish primary cultures by explant culture method. Cells were expanded and frozen at every passage, and passage 3 cells were used for further experiments. The cells were then treated with different concentrations of mitomycin C (0.1-0.5 mg/ml) for different time periods (3, 5, and 10 minutes). Cell viability was checked by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Cellular proliferation index was determined with bromodeoxyuridine immunostaining. Apoptotic index was measured using annexin A5 affinity assay, propidium iodide staining, and 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole counterstaining. The actin cytoskeletons of fibroblasts were studied using phalloidin staining. The doubling time of cultured HNMFs is approximately 24 hours. Similarly, 0.4 mg/ml beyond 5 minutes and 0.5 mg/ml concentration at all time points were lethal and caused extensive cell death when compared with controls. A concentration of 0.2 mg/ml for 3 minutes of exposure prevented cell proliferation of HNMF cells by inducing cell cycle arrest, without causing extensive apoptosis. The minimum effective concentration appears to be 0.2 mg/ml for 3 minutes. This in vitro study could be the starting point for further clinical and histopathologic studies to validate its clinical usefulness.
Article
Full-text available
A number of published comparative studies have been conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) in endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (EN-DCR). However, results have not always been consistent. Therefore, we carried out a meta-analysis to compare the clinical results of EN-DCR with and without MMC. A comprehensive literature search of Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE to identify relevant trials comparing EN-DCR with and without MMC. Eleven studies including 574 eyes were included in this meta-analysis. The success was defined as patency of the nasolacrimal canal and symptomatic improvement. There was significantly higher success rate in the MMC group in comparison with control group [RR = 1.12, 95% CI (1.04, 1.20), P = 0.004]. A sensitivity analysis after the non-randomized controlled trials were excluded from the meta-analysis demonstrated no differences compared with the overall results. Subgroup analyses showed that MMC group had a significantly higher success rate than control group in primary and revision EN-DCR, and EN-DCR without silicone intubation, but no difference in the subgroup of with silicone intubation. The size of the osteotomy site was bigger in the MMC group compared to the control group at 3 months [WMD = 7.65, 95% CI (0.33, 14.98), P = 0.041] and 6 months [WMD = 9.28, 95% CI (2.45, 16.11), P = 0.008] after surgery. However, there was statistically significant difference in the osteotomy surface area between the two groups at 12 months after surgery [WMD = 11.63, 95% CI (-1.04, 24.29), P = 0.072]. Intraoperative MMC application seems to be a safe adjuvant that could reduce the closure rate of the osteotomy and enhance the success rate after both primary and revision EN-DCR. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01772277.
Article
Full-text available
A male factor is the only cause of infertility in 30% to 40% of couples. Most causes of male infertility are treatable, and the goal of many treatments is to restore the ability to conceive naturally. Varicoceles are present in 15% of the normal male population and in approximately 40% of men with infertility. Varicocele is the most common cause of male infertility that can be corrected surgically. In males with azoospermia, the most common cause is post-vasectomy status. Approximately 6% of males who undergo vasectomy eventually seek reversal surgery. Success of vasectomy reversal decreases with the number of years between vasectomy and vasovasostomy. Other causes of obstructive azoospermia include epididymal, vasal or ejaculatory duct abnormalities. Epididymal obstruction is the most common cause of obstructive azoospermia. Patients with epididymal obstruction without other anatomical abnormalities can be considered as candidates for vasoepididymostomy. With microsurgical techniques, success of patency restoration can reach 70~90%. In case of surgically uncorrectable obstructive azoospermia, sperm extraction or aspiration for in vitro fertilization is needed. Nonobstructive azoospermia is the most challenging type of male infertility. However, microsurgical testicular sperm extraction may be an effective method for nonobstructive azoospermia patients.
Article
To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature evaluating vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal outcomes. We conducted a review of English language articles describing results of microscopic vasovasostomy for vasectomy reversal. Two reviewers independently examined the studies for eligibility and evaluated data from each study. Meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model. Thirty-one studies with 6633 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean patient age at time of vasectomy reversal was 38.9 years with a mean obstructive interval of 7.2 years. The mean postprocedure patency and pregnancy rates weighted by sample size were 89.4% and 73.0%, respectively. A meta-analysis comparing an obstructive interval (OI) of <10 years to an OI of at least 10 years duration produced a pooled incidence ratios (IR; meta-IR) of 1.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-1.25) for patency and 1.24 (95% CI, 1.12-1.38) for pregnancy. Incidence of patency for modified 1-layer technique was similar to that after a 2-layer procedure with a meta-IR of 1.04 (95% CI, 1.00-1.08). Because of a small number of relevant studies, a meta-analysis for other predictors of success such as sperm granuloma, quality of vasal fluid, and female factors was not feasible. We found no statistically significant difference in vasovasostomy outcomes when comparing the impact of single vs multilayer anastomoses. Patients with an OI <10 years showed higher patency and pregnancy rates compared with those with an OI ≥10 years. Uniform definitions of patency are necessary to characterize success and standardize outcome reporting. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Article
To describe the technique and results of bilateral vasovasostomy using a 3-mm vas cutting forceps angled at 15° (catalog no. NHF-3.15; ASSI) for vasal transection. Retrospective chart review. Institutional review board approval was granted by Western Institutional Review Board. Single vasectomy reversal center. Men who underwent a bilateral vasovasostomy at a single institution by a single surgeon between 2001 and 2012 and had a minimum of one semen analysis postoperatively or a reported natural conception. Before September 14, 2010, a straight-edge vas cutter was used on all vasovasostomy connections; 375 men received a bilateral vasovasostomy and met follow-up criteria. Beginning on September 14, 2010, an angled cutter was used on all vasovasostomy patients, with 194 men meeting the exclusion criteria. A minimum of 1 × 10(6) sperm reported on a postoperative semen analysis, or a reported natural conception was used to establish patency. The overall vasovasostomy patency rate using the angled vas cutter was 99.5% and was 95.7% using the straight vas cutter. The development of an angled vas cutter provides an increased surface area for vasal wound healing to allow for larger tissue diameter for better healing, resulting in high patency rates after vasovasostomy.
Article
Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of local application of intraoperative mitomycin C (MMC) at the osteotomy site in primary external dacryocystorhinostomy (EX-DCR). Methods: A comprehensive literature search of the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase was undertaken to identify relevant trials comparing EX-DCR with MMC (MMC group, from 0.2-1.0 mg/mL) and without MMC (control group). A total of nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were selected and a meta-analysis performed on the results of success rates, which were defined as patency of the nasolacrimal canal and symptomatic improvement. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. Results: Nine RCTs reporting on a total of 562 DCRs including patients in the age range 30-57 years were included in the meta-analysis. However, the total number of males and females could not be determined as only four RCTs reported on this aspect. There was a significantly higher success rate in the MMC group in comparison with the control group (odds ratio, OR, 2.11; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.19-3.74, P = 0. 01). In two RCTs, the mean osteotomy size 6 months postoperatively was significantly larger in the MMC group than in the control group (about 27mm(2) in the MMC group versus about 12mm(2) in the control group in the first study, and about 22mm(2) in the MMC group versus about 18mm(2) in the control group in the second study, P < 0.005). No intraoperative or postoperative complications except two cases with delayed healing of the external skin wound were recorded in the MMC group. Conclusion: Intraoperative MMC application seems to be a safe adjuvant that could reduce the closure rate of the osteotomy site after primary EX-DCR. Further well-organized, prospective, randomized studies involving larger patient numbers divided into subgroups for different concentrations of locally applied MMC are warranted.
Article
Forelimb buds of day-14 rat fetuses were cut into pieces and transplanted subcutaneously into athymic (nude) mice. On the 7th, 9th, and 11th days after grafting, the nude mice were treated with various drugs including rat teratogens. On the 20th day, the grafted tissue was examined macroscopically and histologically. While control grafts showed substantial growth and tissue differentiation similar to that observed in vivo, the differentiation of grafts was significantly inhibited by the treatment with 5-fluorouracil, cyclophosphamide, hydroxyurea, cycloheximide, mitomycin C, caffeine, aspirin, retinol palmitate, all-trans-retinoic acid, and ascorbic acid. Hydrocortisone, tetracycline, and thalidomide did not adversely affect the differentiation of grafts. Thus, the susceptibility of transplanted rat limb buds was generally close to the teratologic sensitivity of rat fetuses in vivo. The heterotransplantation method of embryonic tissues may be useful as a new experimental system in developmental toxicology.