IUI | IVF & ICSI | Male Procedures: PESA, TESA, TBX

MALE PROCEDURES: PESA, TESA, TBX

PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration)
This procedure is used to retrieve sperm from men who have had a vasectomy or other blockage to sperm production. A fine needle is placed into the epididymis to aspirate tiny pockets of sperm. This procedure is performed
under a light general anaesthetic, but can also be performed under a local anaesthetic.

TESA (Testicular Needle Biopsy)
This is similar to PESA, but tissue is taken directly from the testicle instead of the epididymis. A general or local anaesthetic is used. A fine needle is used to aspirate tissue from the testis, withdrawing some of the tubules that contain live sperm under suction.
PESA and TESA procedures do not collect enough sperm to achieve a normal conception and so the couple will undergo IVF treatment, in particular using ICSI >>. Sperm collected using these procedures can be frozen for use later.

TBX (Testicular Open Biopsy)
This procedure is performed when no sperm are present on the fine needle testicular biopsy. It requires a general anaesthetic and admission to hospital. A larger amount of testicular tissue is removed.
Dependent on history, this is successful in up to 70% of men who have no sperm in the ejaculate and have no other signs of normal sperm production, and in over 90% of men who have had a previous vasectomy.