Surgical Harvesting of Sperm

While most couples who have undergone fertility issues understand the process of collecting sperm, there are some men who cannot obtain the necessary arousal in order to produce semen. This could be due to the stress of the infertility issue, or the necessity of collecting sperm in this particular manner. Other men may be impotent or have certain physical difficulties to overcome, or may even not be physically present on the day of the egg collection. Because sperm freezes and thaws with few problems, collecting the sperm sample ahead of time may be the most viable option. If a couple is desperately trying to become pregnant, and the man is out of the country due to military duty, then collecting a sample in advance makes sense.

When, for whatever reason, a man is unable to produce an ejaculation sample himself, it is possible to have a surgical harvesting of the sperm. In certain cases where a man has had a vasectomy, the doctor may choose surgical sperm harvesting rather than a reversal of the vasectomy. If there is a total absence of sperm in the semen, or a problem with sperm production itself, the sperm can be harvested directly from the testes. The surgical retrieval of sperm yields an amount which is quite small, and which will be combined with a sperm injection, then will either be used fresh, or will be frozen for the future.

Ways To Surgically Retrieve Sperm

There are presently two basic ways to surgically retrieve sperm. The first is known as percutaneous sperm aspiration, and is generally believed to be the first sperm collection choice. The procedure includes a very small needle which is introduced into the scrotum, then further into the epididymis. Once the needle has reached the identified area, a gentle suctioning will take place, pulling the sperm out for examination. On the extraction of each sperm sample, it will be examined carefully under a powerful microscope in order to ensure sperm is present. The other primary way to surgically retrieve sperm is known as TESA, or testicular sperm extraction. Like the percutaneous sperm aspiration, a long, delicate needle is inserted into the testis, the gentle suction is implemented, then examined. If no sperm is found in the sample, then an incision is made in the scrotum and testis, allowing sperm to be extracted from the surrounding tissue.

Most often sperm which have been retrieved surgically are not yet mature, therefore cannot accomplish fertilization in the normal manner. If this is the case, the selected sperm will be injected into the woman's mature egg in the laboratory. After either of these sperm harvesting surgical procedures, there may be significant bruising or aching around the scrotum for up to two days. Your doctor will likely prescribe a painkiller with codeine, or you can simply take over-the-counter painkillers such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. While there is a small risk of excessive bleeding or subsequent infection following these procedures, most men have only minimal discomfort. Many couples will choose to freeze any leftover sperm in order to avoid the surgical sperm retrieval process being repeated.