Our fertility specialists offer surgical sperm retrieval (SSR) treatment for patients with no sperm in their ejaculate. The treatment may be offered with an intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment cycle.
Types of surgical sperm retrieval
We offer the following types of SSR techniques:
- percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA)
- testicular sperm aspiration (TESA)
- testicular sperm extraction (TESE)
- microsurgical sperm extraction (Micro-TESE)
How does sperm retrieval work?
For PESA, a small number of sperm is obtained directly from the epididymis, which is the beginning of the outlet tube from the testicle.
If PESA is unsuccessful or not appropriate, TESA, TESE or Micro-TESE may be offered. In this procedure, the sperm is obtained directly from the testicle. These procedures are carried out under general anaesthetic before or on the day of egg collection.
Surgical sperm retrieval treatment is used in cases of:
- congenital bilateral absence of vas deferens
- obstruction of both ejaculatory ducts
- azoospermia
- failed vasovasostomy
- failed epididymovasostomy
Related treatments
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Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
ICSI is a form of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) fertility treatment.
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Intrauterine insemination (IUI)
IUI treatment is the least invasive and technically easiest form of artificial insemination, with minimal complications.
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Donor treatments
Our fertility treatments are available if you're using donor eggs, sperm or embryos.
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