Surgical Sperm Retrieval for Every Situation
For men who cannot produce sperm naturally through ejaculation — whether due to blockage, vasectomy, or absence of sperm production — surgical sperm retrieval techniques make fatherhood possible. PESA, MESA, and TESE are minimally invasive procedures performed by experienced urologists to obtain viable sperm directly from the reproductive tract.
How These Procedures Work
PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) uses a fine needle to aspirate sperm from the epididymis, suitable for obstructive azoospermia. MESA (Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) uses microsurgery for more precise retrieval. TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) involves taking small tissue samples from the testes to find and extract sperm. Retrieved sperm is used immediately with ICSI or frozen for future cycles.
Key Benefits of PESA – MESA – TESE
- Enables fatherhood for men with azoospermia
- Minimally invasive with rapid recovery
- Sperm can be frozen for multiple future ICSI cycles
- Performed under local or light general anaesthesia
- High retrieval success rates in the right candidates
Who Is a Good Candidate for PESA – MESA – TESE?
- Men with obstructive azoospermia (e.g. post-vasectomy)
- Men with congenital absence of the vas deferens
- Men with non-obstructive azoospermia (TESE)
- Men with failed vasectomy reversal
- Those with severely low sperm production
Surgical Sperm Retrieval Timeline
Week 1
Urological consultation, semen analysis, hormone testing, and procedure planning.
Procedure Day
PESA, MESA, or TESE performed under local anaesthesia or sedation. Takes 30-60 minutes.
Day 1-2
Recovery at home. Mild discomfort managed with simple pain relief.
Same Day (Lab)
Retrieved sperm assessed and used for ICSI immediately, or vitrified for future use.
IVF/ICSI Cycle
Partner undergoes egg retrieval. Retrieved or frozen sperm used for ICSI fertilisation.
2 Weeks Post-Transfer
Pregnancy test. Remaining frozen sperm available for future attempts if needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About PESA, MESA & TESE
The choice depends on the cause of azoospermia. A specialist urologist will review your semen analysis, medical history, and hormone levels to recommend the most appropriate technique.
Retrieved sperm is used with ICSI, as the sperm count and motility from surgical retrieval is typically too low for standard IVF. ICSI requires only a single sperm per egg.
Most men experience only mild discomfort. Procedures are performed under local anaesthesia or sedation, and recovery is usually within 24-48 hours.
Yes. Retrieved sperm can be vitrified and stored for use in future ICSI cycles, avoiding the need for a repeated retrieval procedure.