Testicular Sperm Extraction (TESE)
Testicular sperm extraction — commonly known as TESE — is a technique used in assisted reproduction treatments, mainly when it is not possible to obtain sperm from the ejaculate. The procedure involves a surgical intervention in which, through one or more small incisions in one or both testicles, testicular tissue is removed in order to retrieve motile sperm. TESE is usually performed under local anaesthesia or light sedation, and the patient can go home the same day.
It is essential that both the urology team and the laboratory team are available at the same time, so that the sample can be received and analysed to check for the presence of sperm as soon as the surgeon has extracted it.
When is testicular sperm extraction (TESE) recommended?
This procedure is indicated in several situations:
- The male partner presents obstructive azoospermia: absence of sperm in the ejaculate despite normal sperm production at testicular level (for example, in cases of cystic fibrosis).
- Previous vasectomy.
- In some cases, TESE may be considered when the quantity and/or quality of sperm is not optimal to fertilise the egg.
