Surgical sperm retrieval is a technique for collecting sperm from the vas deferens, epididymis or testis. This is a minor procedure, usually carried as a day case surgery under a local or a general anesthetic.
To whom surgical sperm retrieval is advised?
There are selected groups of patients to whom surgical sperm retrieval is recommended.
- Men with complete absence of sperm in their ejaculate when the sperm production by the testicles is normal but there is a blockage, which prevents sperm entering the semen (obstructive azoospermia). This may be due to a blockage of sperm transport tubules (epididymis or vas deferens) for whatever reasons, congenital absence of the vas deference, a previous vasectomy or failed vasectomy reversal.
- Men with complete absence of sperm from their ejaculate due to failure of sperm production by the testicles, about 50% of these men may have areas in their testicles producing sperm, which do not pass into semen although there is no obstruction (non-obstructive azoospermia). Testicular biopsy from these men may have some sperm which can be used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).