What Is Testicular Sperm Aspiration ?


TESA is a procedure performed for men who are having sperm retrieved for IVF/ICSI. It is performed under local anaesthetic in the operating room or office, and it is timed to coincide with the egg retrieval of their female spouse. The testicle is punctured with a needle, and tissue and sperm are aspirated. Men who have undergone a vasectomy and have obstructive azoospermia undergo TESA. When TESA doesn’t produce enough tissue or sperm, an open testis biopsy is necessary.

For males with obstructive azoospermia brought on by a previous vasectomy or an infection who are having their sperm harvested for IVF/ICSI, a treatment called PESA is used. The egg retrieval of their female spouse is timed to take place while they are under local anaesthetic in the operating room or office.