PESA / TESA

PESA/ TESA are infertility treatments which involve surgical retrieval of sperm from the male partner. This line of treatment is useful for couples with severe male factor infertility and involves collection of sperm from the testicles using a needle or a small incision. Surgical sperm retrieval is beneficial in the following conditions:

• - Obstructive Azoospermia
• - Non-obstructive Azoospermia
• - For men with retrograde ejaculation
• - For men who have had a vasectomy
• - For men who have had a failed vasectomy reversal

PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)

PESA is a simple technique to obtain sperm for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) in men who have an obstruction of the vas deferens, either due to vasectomy or other obstruction. The procedure involves a small needle that is inserted through the skin of the scrotum to collect sperm from the epididymis, where sperm are usually stored after production in the testes.

In 80% of attempts, sufficient sperm for ICSI is obtained while in 10% of cases enough suitable sperm is found for cryopreservation. The procedure is performed with local anesthesia and is coordinated with the female partner's egg retrieval.

Testicular/ Epididymal Sperm Aspiration or Extraction- TESE OR TESA

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.

Sperm retrieved from the somniferous tubules in a TESA procedure are less mature and less motile than sperm found in ejaculated seminal fluid. As such, ICSI - a specialised form of IVF - is required to achieve fertilisation with TESA sperm.

Candidates who can benefit from PESA/TESA

• - Males suffering from a testicular problem that result in poor sperm production. Testicular problems can be caused by infection, injury, and sometimes due to genetic issues.
• - Males with irreversible obstruction of the genital tract caused due to infection, surgery, and trauma.
• - Males who are a carrier of cystic fibrosis suffer from vas deferens congenital absence.
• - Males who have undergone vasectomy and those who have an unsuccessful vasectomy reversal.
• - Males with no sperm in their ejaculate
• - The surgical procedure is performed in case of the absence of vas deferens and in males with vasectomy.

The sperm retrieved with the PESA or TESA process is usually very low compared to the amount present in an ejaculate. These sperm are used in combination with a specific type of IVF called ICSI (Intracytoplasmic sperm injection) technique to achieve a successful pregnancy.

To avail the benefits of PESA and TESA techniques in Jalandhar consult today with an infertility specialist Dr. Yogeshwar Sood.