Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction (Micro-TESE)
Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction (Micro-TESE)
Open testicular sperm extraction can be done with an operating microscope (microsurgical) or without (conventional). The microsurgical technique has higher sperm retrieval rates than the conventional method. Sperm have been found with microsurgical TESE even when sperm production by the testicles is so low that none are seen in the semen. Other advantages of using the microsurgical technique are the lower chance of injury to the testicular blood supply, less loss of testicular tissue, and less blood in the biopsy specimen. This is important since testicular bleeding can lead to scar formation, which can damage a testicle.