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Expert: Stephen W. Leslie, MD - 1/12/2007


Question
Hello,

Myy husband had a vasectomy last year (October 2005) and finally took his second sperm sample to the lab.  The nurse called and said he was clear.  Then she told him he needs to have a sample done once a year.  I am confused.  I thought this was permanent.  How am I supposed to relax about sex knowing they feel he should be tested once a year?  

Answer
The yearly testing is done to make sure that the passages do not reconnect later.  This is extremely rare but has been reported.  The risk is similar to getting hit by lightening!  For what it's worth, I do not make a similar request on the patients I do vasectomies for.

Urology

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Stephen W. Leslie, MD

Expertise

Questions concerning erectile dysfunction, kidney stones and prostate disorders including prostate cancer. I have a special interest in kidney stone disease prevention.

Experience

Full time practicing urologist with 30 years experience. Associate Professor of Surgery and Chief of Urology at Creighton University Medical Center. Editor in Chief of eMedicine Urology internet textbook. Author of only NIH approved book written for patients by a urologist on the subject of kidney stones "The Kidney Stones Handbook". Inventor of the "Parachute" and "Escape" kidney stone baskets and the "Calculus" stone prevention analysis computer program.

Organizations
American Urological Association, Ohio State Medical Association, Sexual Medicine Society

Publications
Men's Health, Journal of Urology, Urology, Healthwatch Magazine, Emergency Medicine Monthly, eMedicine, "The Kidney Stones Handbook", and numerous articles in various newspapers. He is also the editor of the Urology Board Review by McGraw-Hill used by urologists to study for their Board Certification Examinations.

Education/Credentials
Graduate of New York Medical College with residencies completed at Metropolitan Hospital New York, Albany Medical Center and University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Awards and Honors
Thirlby Award of the American Urological Association. Rated as one the country's Best Urologists by the Independent Consumer's Research Institute

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