What is TESE?

TESE called Microscopic testicular Sperm extraction (TESE) is a surgical procedure done to collect the sperm when there are limited sperms in the semen. Upon collecting the sperms, the most viable sperm is selected and it can be used to conceive successfully using the IVF (in-vitro fertilization) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

When is Micro TESE Used?

TESE is used when in the situation of men having the condition of azoospermia, it’s a condition where men have very less sperms and finding a viable sperm is hard to find in the semen. Azoospermia is a condition resulting from obstructive or non-obstructive causes.

TESE treatment is helpful for men having the azoospermia, without having the need for a sperm donor and having a biological father in genetic relation with the child. Men having the azoospermia have no sperm which are viable in the semen. In men on an average 50% of men have azoospermia in their testes. For couples willing to take the ICSI treatment only one good sperm is needed for successful chance. Also TESE can be used for long term fertility in case of any medical complication which interrupts the sperm viability or in case when conventional vasectomy surgery is not successful.

TESE is a critical fertility treatment according to some statistics:

– On an average approximately around 1% of men suffer with azoospermia

– On an average approximately around 10 to 20% of men who get tested in an infertility clinic are diagnosed with azoospermia

– On an average approximately around 2-6% men who opted to go for a vasectomy, will later opt to go for a reversal

The TESE Procedure

Traditional TESE is a procedure where local anesthesia is given prior to the commencement of the treatment where the male patient is given local anesthesia, later a minimal incision is made in the testes area and a sample is collected to collect the sperm. This treatment is preferred for men having the typical obstructive azoospermia, where male body produces plethora of sperms but unable to ejaculate. Micro Tese is a more sophisticated treatment which is used in the situation of non-obstructive azoospermia, as the doctor has to identify the area of testes with minimal sperms. Micro TESE provides few clinical benefits over TESE:

– Increases sperm recovery chances.

– Lower acute after operation complications

– Less serious conditions affecting the testicular function

– Less complications.

Micro TESE Success Rates

According to the studies experts predict that a sperm is found 70% on an average time in the Micro TESE procedure. On comparing the TESE and micro TESE procedures the successful sperm retrieval rate is on an average in between 32% to 57% .