Fertility in males after childhood, adolescent, and adult inguinal operations

Abstract Background/purpose Inguinal hernia repair and orchidopexy are among the most common operations in boys. The impact on future fertility has not been conclusively defined. This study evaluates sperm quality after previous inguinal surgery. Methods Spermiograms of men with a desire to conceive children were analyzed. History of previous inguinal surgery (hernia repair, orchidopexy, varicocele ligation) was correlated with sperm quality. Other influential factors (age, BMI, chronic medication, tobacco use) were also tested. Results A total of 333 patients were included. Overall, 12.6% of the subjects had undergone previous inguinal surgery. Of these, 17 (43%) were inguinal hernia repai…