Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2017 Aug;6(4):730-744.
doi: 10.21037/tau.2017.07.15.

A step-by-step guide to office-based sperm retrieval for obstructive azoospermia

Affiliations
Review

A step-by-step guide to office-based sperm retrieval for obstructive azoospermia

Robert M Coward et al. Transl Androl Urol. 2017 Aug.

Abstract

A variety of surgical options exists for sperm retrieval in the setting of obstructive azoospermia (OA). With appropriate preparation, the majority of these techniques can safely be performed in the office with local anesthesia and with or without monitored anesthesia care (MAC). The available techniques include percutaneous options such as percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) and testicular sperm aspiration (TESA), as well as open techniques that include testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA). In addition to providing a step-by-step description of each available approach, we introduce and describe a new technique for sperm retrieval for OA called minimally invasive epididymal sperm aspiration (MIESA). The MIESA utilizes a tiny keyhole incision, and the epididymis is exposed without testicular delivery. Epididymal aspiration is performed in the style of MESA, except using loupe magnification rather than an operating microscope. MIESA is a safe, office-based procedure in which millions of motile sperm can be retrieved for cryopreservation. While we prefer the MIESA technique for OA, there remain distinct advantages of each open and percutaneous approach. In the current era of assisted reproductive technology, sperm retrieval rates for OA should approach 100% regardless of the technique. This reference provides a roadmap for both advanced and novice male reproductive surgeons to guide them through every stage of sperm retrieval for OA, including preoperative evaluation, patient selection, procedural techniques, and complications. With the incredible advances in in vitro fertilization (IVF), combined with innovative surgical treatment for male factor infertility in recent years, OA is no longer a barrier for men to become biologic fathers.

Keywords: MESA; MIESA; Obstructive azoospermia (OA); PESA; TESA; TESE; epididymal sperm; sperm retrieval; testicular sperm.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Exposure during minimally invasive epididymal sperm aspiration (MIESA). (A) Initial exposure of the epididymis during MIESA; (B) detailed view of the epididymis with dilated epididymal tubules visible.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Aspiration during minimally invasive epididymal sperm aspiration (MIESA). (A) The ophthalmic blade makes an epididymotomy while the assistant aspirates the tubular fluid; (B) the fluid is placed on a slide for evaluation by the embryologist for motile sperm.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Closure of the minimally invasive epididymal sperm aspiration (MIESA). (A) Upon completion of the obliterative aspiration, monopolar electrocautery is used for hemostasis of the epididymis; (B) closure of the skin demonstrates the 1 cm incision used for the MIESA.

Similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Smith RP, Coward RM, Lipshultz LI. The office visit. Urol Clin North Am 2014;41:19-37. 10.1016/j.ucl.2013.08.002 - DOI - PubMed
    1. McBride JA, Coward RM. Recovery of spermatogenesis following testosterone replacement therapy or anabolic-androgenic steroid use. Asian J Androl 2016;18:373-80. 10.4103/1008-682X.173938 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Coward RM, Mata DA, Smith RP, et al. Vasectomy reversal outcomes in men previously on testosterone supplementation therapy. Urology 2014;84:1335-40. 10.1016/j.urology.2014.06.081 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Boorjian S, Lipkin M, Goldstein M. The impact of obstructive interval and sperm granuloma on outcome of vasectomy reversal. J Urol 2004;171:304-6. 10.1097/01.ju.0000098652.35575.85 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Wolf JS, Jr, Bennett CJ, Dmochowski RR, et al. Best practice policy statement on urologic surgery antimicrobial prophylaxis. J Urol 2008;179:1379-90. 10.1016/j.juro.2008.01.068 - DOI - PubMed