Previously, it was believed that sperm needed to go through the entire genital tract before it was capable of fertilization. However, with the dawn of ARTS such as ICSI, previous notions have since proved invalid. In the past, obstructed azoospermia has been treated with microsurgery, which required scrotal exploration under general anesthesia. PESA & TESA, done under local anaesthetic and sedation, has excellent potential for patients who have had a vasectomy and do not wish to undergo reversal, or patients who have had an attempted reversal which has failed. This technique would also be applicable for patients with congenital absense of the vas deferens, previous infection with resultant occlusion of the epididymus and ducts, and ejaculatory dysfunction due to multiple sclerosis or diabetes or spinal cord injury patients. TESE is useful for men who have non-obstructive azoospermia caused from maturation arrest disorders and for patients in whom sperm could not be obtained through the PESA procedure. These techniques are relatively simple, the equipment required is minimal and the procedures are much less invasive than the previous microsurgical approaches. The patient is able to return to work either the same day or the following day without significant risk of complications. The biopsy is therapeutic and diagnostic. >>Click here to return to previous menu<< |
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