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What is Recanalization?

Mary McMahon
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Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 23,010
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Recanalization is the restoration of flow in a vessel or duct after it has been blocked in some way. Sometimes, this process occurs naturally and at other times, it happens with the assistance of medical practitioners. There may be cases in which recanalization is actually not desired and is an unexpected outcome. A variety of tests can be used to measure levels of blockage in vessels and ducts and to determine when recanalization has occurred.

An infamous example of recanalization can be seen in some vasectomy patients. In a vasectomy, the vas deferens, a duct that carries sperm from the testes to the penis, is cut. This prevents sperm from entering the ejaculate and renders a man infertile. Sometimes, however, recanalization occurs and the body is able to bridge the gap created during the vasectomy. This allows sperm to once again travel down the vas deferens. Sometimes, a vasectomy fails as a result of recanalization right away, and at other times this may occur years after the procedure has taken place.

The same phenomenon can be observed when blood vessels become blocked with clots. This can be dangerous because it impedes circulation. If the body cannot dislodge the clot, it comes up with another solution, working around the clot to restore the flow of blood. This can also be seen after surgeries where vessels are severed. The body figures out how to remap the network of vessels to keep bloodflow consistent.

Recanalization also occurs in ducts and tubes used to carry everything from lymph to bile. The process takes varying lengths of time, depending on the area of the body involved, the health of the patient, and the level of obstruction. Sometimes doctors may help the body along, as seen in bypass surgeries where vessels are grafted onto the coronary arteries to restore the supply of blood. Medications can also be used for recanalization by forcing clots to break up, and the insertion of a stent is another way to restore flow.

Doppler ultrasound is a technique that can be used to see whether or not body fluids are flowing as expected. The ultrasound generates an image showing which direction fluids are moving in and how quickly they are moving. As recanalization takes place, the flow may move around or increase in speed. This medical imaging technique is used to check up on people who have required medical procedures to treat obstructions and to screen patients presenting with problems that may reflect a blockage in a vessel or duct.

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Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a The Health Board researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
By anon304921 — On Nov 22, 2012

Is recanalization possible at 45 years old?

By Mor — On Aug 17, 2012

@pleonasm - It's interesting seeing it from that perspective. I've always thought of recanalization as being a really good thing, because I always thought of it as referring to a bypass operation.

My dad had a triple bypass a few years ago and I read everything I could about it before he went in. The idea that they can do that kind of reconstruction on the heart is amazing. But then you realize the body does it all the time to other areas and you realize that life is just generally amazing.

By pleonasm — On Aug 16, 2012

@indigomoth - If you think that's bad, think about the women who've had a fallopian tube recanalization. At least with a vasectomy there is an easy test you can do every once and a while to make sure that your sperm count is still low. There's no real test like that for women. And a vasectomy is a relatively simple procedure.

But, fallopian tube ligation is considered a serious surgery and women generally only undergo it if they really, really don't want to have any more kids. Sometimes for health reasons.

If you've gone to all that trouble and expense to make sure you don't fall pregnant, and then you do because your body has recanalized the tubes, that's got to be pretty awful.

By indigomoth — On Aug 15, 2012

I can't even imagine how awful it would be to think you have a proper vasectomy and then to discover that you've had a vasectomy recanalization. I mean, really, the only way you'd discover that unless you were taking regular tests, is to get someone pregnant. And if you have taken the step of having a vasectomy in the first place, I can't imagine you'd be pleased to find out that you've got someone pregnant.

The only plus side would be that the person should be your long term partner, since you wouldn't go without condoms on someone you don't know, whether you've had a vasectomy or not, since having one doesn't prevent you from contracting or spreading disease.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

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