Surgical Sperm Recovery
Surgical Sperm Recovery
is a microsurgery to collect sperms from the male partner in case of very poor
sperm count or no sperms in the sample. This is usually performed as a day care
procedure on the same day as the egg recovery.
Procedures
TESE/ MESA/ PESA
They are different sperm
retrieval procedures, tailored to the specific couple’s need. The procedure
involves the use of minimal invasive techniques to obtain sperms when sperm is
not present in ejaculate. This procedure is suitable in case of:
- Azoospermic man; Obstructive azoospermia or Non obstructive azoospermia (When sperm production is low)
- Vasectomised man, where vasectomy reversal is failed.
- Absence of vas deferens.
PESA
Percutaneous Epididymal
Sperm Aspiration (PESA) uses a needle to penetrate the scrotal skin and draw a
small amount of sperm from the epididymis where as Percutaneous Testicular
Biopsy removes small cores of testes tissue.
MESA, TESE
The
procedures are either performed through the skin (percutaneous) or through a
small opening in the skin about 1/2 inch in size. In Testicular Sperm
Extraction (TESE) small samples of testis tissue is removed for processing and
eventual extraction of sperm. In Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration
(MESA) process, microsurgical techniques are applied to gather sperm from
epididymis – a sperm rich tube at the back of the testis. Microscopic TESE is a
very exacting search for sperm under high magnification in cases of extremely
low sperm production.
FAQ
Surgical sperm recovery is a medical procedure that involves the extraction of sperm from the male reproductive tract when sperm are not naturally present in the ejaculate. It is typically done to collect sperm for use in assisted reproductive techniques such as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
It is recommended when a man has a condition that prevents sperm from being ejaculated or when there is an obstruction in the male reproductive tract, such as a blockage in the vas deferens. Common indications include azoospermia (no sperm in the ejaculate), retrograde ejaculation, or previous vasectomy.
There are several methods, including:
- Testicular sperm extraction (TESE): Sperm are retrieved directly from the testicles.
- Percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA): Sperm are obtained from the epididymis using a fine needle.
- Microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA): A microsurgical approach is used to retrieve sperm from the epididymis.
- Testicular sperm aspiration (TESA): A needle is used to aspirate sperm from the testicles.
Local anesthesia is typically used during surgical sperm recovery, so the procedure itself should not be painful. Some discomfort or mild pain may be experienced during recovery, but this can usually be managed with pain relief medications.
The collected sperm are typically used in assisted reproductive techniques such as IVF or ICSI. They are combined with the partner's or a donor's egg to facilitate fertilization.
Success rates can vary depending on the specific procedure and the underlying cause of infertility. Success may not be guaranteed, and it's important to discuss the chances of success with a fertility specialist.
Like any medical procedure, surgical sperm recovery has potential risks and complications, such as infection, bleeding, and damage to surrounding structures. However, these risks are generally low when performed by experienced professionals.
The collected sperm can often be used immediately or cryopreserved for later use, depending on the specific circumstances and the recommendations of the fertility specialist.
In some cases, surgical sperm recovery can be performed on the same day as an IVF procedure, but this depends on the clinic's protocols and the patient's specific situation.
In some cases, there may be alternative treatments or procedures to address male infertility, and these should be discussed with a reproductive specialist. However, surgical sperm recovery is often the primary method when sperm are not present in the ejaculate.