Damage to the vas deferens can occur during inguinal surgery.
Reason for inguinal surgery: most often inguinal hernia repair. Other reasons: renal transplantation, resection of spermatocele, lymph node biopsy, appendectomy.
Risk factors:
(1) surgeon error
(2) surgery on children with congenital hernia
(3) fibrosis of the inguinal canal making dissection difficult, including reoperation
(4) emergency surgery
Consequences of iatrogenic injury to the vas deferens:
(1) infertility (in bilateral hernia repair)
(2) sperm granuloma formation
(3) stricture or stenosis of the vas deferens
(4) need for vasal reconstruction
(5) secondary epididymal injury following long-term vasal obstruction
Vasography can be helpful to identify obstruction or leakage.