TESA Procedure (Testicular Sperm Aspiration)
TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) is usually recommended for patients diagnosed with non-obstructive azoospermia (complete absence or very low levels of sperm in semen). During this procedure, sperm is retrieved directly from the testes under general anesthesia using a fine needle biopsy.
The needle is inserted into the testis, and tissue samples are aspirated from different areas. If the patient’s condition is due to a simple blockage, the chances of retrieving sperm are almost certain. In more complex cases with abnormal testicular function, the success rate is around 50–60%.
The sample is then analyzed in the laboratory, and results—whether sperm were found—are usually available the same day. In rare, more complicated cases, analysis may take 2–3 days.
A single TESA procedure often provides enough material for multiple IVF or ICSI cycles. Any suitable but unused sperm can be frozen for future use at our Fertility Center. However, it is important to understand that even if prior health tests suggest sperm are present, in severe cases TESA may still fail to retrieve them due to underlying medical conditions.
