Micro-TESE

What Is Micro-TESE?

Micro-TESE (microsurgical testicular sperm extraction) is a surgical method used in cases of male infertility. It is a procedure in which the testicle is opened and searched for sperm, so that men with no sperm at all in their semen (azoospermia) or with severely impaired sperm quality can have a child through IVF.

How Is Micro-TESE Performed?

In this procedure, the testicular tissue is examined at high magnification under a powerful operating microscope, and small tissue samples are taken from tubules that appear full. If live sperm cells are found and the eggs retrieved from the mother are ready, they are used for IVF on the same day, or they are frozen and stored for use in future IVF treatment.

What Is the Advantage of Micro-TESE over Conventional TESE?

Because far less tissue is taken with micro-TESE than with conventional TESE, the likelihood of damage to the testicular tissue is lower. Examining the sperm-producing tubules under microscope magnification increases the chance of finding sperm and makes it possible to obtain more sperm of better quality.

What Should Be Done If No Sperm Cells Are Found During Micro-TESE?

If no sperm is found with micro-TESE, a pathological examination of the tissue taken must be performed. The pathological examination will guide the patient's next steps. In cases where micro-TESE is unsuccessful, the chance of obtaining sperm with repeat procedures ranges from approximately 20% to 30%. In recent years, the ROSI method has also been offered as an alternative treatment approach for cases in which sperm cannot be obtained with TESE. In the ROSI technique (round spermatid injection), precursor sperm cells (round spermatids), which normally do not have the capacity needed for fertilization, are put through a number of processes and used in assisted reproductive techniques.