Surgical Sperm Retrieval – TESA, MESA, PISA, Micro TESE
What Is Surgical Sperm Retrieval?
Surgical sperm retrieval is a surgical procedure that draws sperm directly from the testicles; the technique is usually paired with a complementary fertility treatment, such as intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). The procedure may be performed either with a fine needle or through a biopsy by way of an incision in the testicles. Surgical sperm retrieval is a perfect fit for men who have undergone a vasectomy, whose sperm counts are below average, or for whom ejaculation is problematic, owing to an injury or infection.
Why Choose Surgical Sperm Retrieval?
There are several scenarios in which surgical sperm retrieval may reap rewarding results.
Obstruction in the Vasa Deferentia
The vasa deferentia are the tubes that transport sperm from the testicles to the urethra. Sometimes, these ducts may be blocked, either naturally, or as a result of a vasectomy. Thus, sperm have no way of reaching the urethra, and may never exit the male body, even during an ejaculation. On Hari Fertility Centre, our ultra-modern surgical sperm retrieval procedures extract sperm directly from the testicles, so that they don’t have to make the long, arduous journey through the vasa deferentia, only to reach an impasse.
Absence of the Vasa Deferentia
In some cases, the vasa deferentia may be found to have been missing since birth, meaning that the path connecting the testes to the urethra never existed. In such cases, surgical sperm retrieval may prove vital to extricate valuable sperm which would otherwise remain permanently trapped.
Low Sperm Count
A low sperm count could make it challenging for semen to flow through the vasa deferentia. So, while your basic plumbing may be excellent, sperm may not be able to move through the vasa deferentia on account of low quality. Sperm retrieval follows a process of drawing and then concentrating sperm to ensure that the motility and density of sperm are elevated.
Is Surgical Sperm Retrieval Right for Me?
If you have been diagnosed with absent or blocked vasa deferentia or low sperm reserves, or if you have had a vasectomy in the past, surgical sperm retrieval may be the perfect solution for you. In all three cases, the sperm housed in your testicles have no way of reaching the urethra. While it is possible to surgically correct the blockage in the vasa deferentia, the results often yield a much lower success rate than that of a surgical sperm retrieval procedure.
What Are the Steps of Surgical Sperm Retrieval?
Surgical sperm retrieval may be performed in one of four ways: percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA), testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) or micro testicular sperm extraction (micro TESE). The difference among the procedures lies in the way that the sperm is extracted.
1 Sedation
On Hari Fertility Centre, we believe in enveloping every guest in care and comfort during every routine, however big or small. In keeping with that belief, our procedures entail anaesthetising a guest beforehand, to ensure a smooth, painless experience.
2 Sperm Extraction
After being produced in the testicles, sperm go on to be stored in the epididymis. Sperm are then extracted through microsurgery, and used for fertilisation. The method of extraction depends on the technique of sperm retrieval.
What Are the Risks of Surgical Sperm Retrieval?
Sperm retrieval is considered a routine surgery, and the procedure is relatively painless when performed under local anaesthesia. The risks associated with sperm retrieval are minor. That said, every single sperm retrieval procedure carried out on Hari Fertility Centre is performed with utmost dedication and care, to minimise the risks listed below.
Swelling and Bruising
In some cases, sperm retrieval may lead to slight swelling or bruising, but rest assured, that the discomfort will subside within a few short days.
Infection
When performed under unsanitary conditions, any invasive procedure could lead to an infection. On Hari Fertility Centre, our sanitised, salubrious facilities are conducive for routine and complicated surgeries.
Insufficient Sperm Extraction
If adequate sperm are not extracted during the retrieval process, the procedure may have to be repeated. Our fertility mavens are time-served specialists in the art of sperm retrieval, and always strive to ensure that a single extraction cycle is optimised.