PESA/TESA
These are different procedures to retrieve sperms from the male testes and epididymis, if no sperms are found in semen sample and there are sperms in testis (blocked tube in male). These retrieved sperms are used for IVF /ICSI. Both these procedures should be coordinated with their female partner’s egg retrieval procedure.
- P.E.S.A: (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) P.E.S.A is a procedure performed for men who have obstructive azoospermia from either a prior vasectomy or infection. In this procedure, a needle is inserted into the epididymis and sperm is withdrawn. It is done under local anaesthesia in the OT.
- T.E.S.A: (Testicular sperm aspiration) If sperm cannot be found in the epididymis (PESA), TESA is used to extract sperm from testicular tissue. This procedure is performed on the male under local anaesthesia in the OT. In this procedure, a needle is inserted directly into the testicles and the tissue or sperms are aspirated from there. TESA is performed for men with obstructive azoospermia.