Surgical Sperm Retrieval Cost & Process

The lack of sperm in the ejaculate is known as azoospermia. It can be caused by a blockage of the genital ducts (as in the event of a vasectomy) or by sperm production in the testicles being weak or nonexistent. Even if there are no sperm in the ejaculate, sperm can be extracted from the testicle utilizing minimally invasive methods. 

Pregnancy can be achieved by intracytoplasmic sperm injection once sperm has been collected (ICSI). Depending on the cause of azoospermia, the technique utilized to collect sperm will differ. Regardless of the surgical method utilized, not all men will have sperm detected in the testes.

For males suffering from the following conditions, surgical sperm retrieval may be a viable therapeutic option:

• Due to damage or illness, a blockage prevents sperm release
• The vas deferens is missing from birth (men born without the tube that drains the sperm
  from the testicle)
• Vasectomy
• Non-obstructive azoospermia occurs when the testicles produce insufficient sperm to
  reach the vas deferens

There are numerous methods for retrieving sperm; the technique used is determined by:

• Whether the operation can be performed via the skin or if an incision is required
  (percutaneous vs. open)
• The amount of tissue needed and how it will be obtained (biopsy vs. aspiration)
• Tissue is obtained from a specific location (testicle, epididymis)
• Instruments that were utilized (microsurgical vs. conventional)

The procedures listed below can be used to extract sperm from the male reproductive system. After consultation in SCI IVF Hospital, if necessary, the completion of particular diagnostic tests, the most suited approach for you should be chosen.

• PESA –Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration is a quick, nearly painless technique that involves introducing a tiny needle into the epididymis through the scrotum to harvest sperm. It takes about 15-20 minutes to complete the operation.
• MESA –Microscopic Epididymal Sperm Aspiration is a technique for extracting sperm from the epididymal sperm using extreme magnification.
• TESA – Testicular Sperm Aspiration is performed if the epididymal fluid does not contain sperm. In this procedure, a needle is placed into the testes, and tissue is aspirated and examined for sperm. This treatment is also very quick and painless, and there is no need for a surgical incision.
• Testicular Biopsy / TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) – If the preceding two procedures fail to produce any sperm, a testicular biopsy is conducted. A tiny incision is created in the testis, and a little portion of the tissue is removed and checked for sperm during this operation.
• Micro – TESE – Under high power magnification viable tubules are identified and Sperm extracted – procedure of choice of NOA, where all other methods have failed. High chance of Sperm Retrieval.

Surprisingly, the exact surgical sperm retrieval success rates are still unknown. Large-scale randomized studies, like so many other infertility therapies, are desperately needed. SSR has a good possibility of retrieving sperm in males with obstructive azoospermia (over 90 percent). Another clinic claims that men with non-obstructive azoospermia have a 40% chance of retrieving their sperm.

Surgical sperm retrieval cost – In comparison, the average cost per birth following sperm retrieval and ICSI was approx. $72,521 (95 percent confidence interval: approx. $63,357- $81,685), with percutaneous or testicular sperm retrieval costing approx. $73,146 and surgical epididymal sperm retrieval costing approx. $71,896.

The operations performed in SCI IVF Hospital are done using a combination of mild general anesthesia and a local anesthetic. It simply takes a few hours in the hospital.