SURGICAL SPERM RETRIEVAL (SSR) IN BANGKOK

SURGICAL SPERM RETRIEVAL (SSR) IN BANGKOK

Vejthani Hospital offers PESA, TESE, and MESA sperm retrieval techniques at our VFC Center in Bangkok, Thailand. If you are having trouble conceiving, make an appointment for a consultation at the VFC Center to discuss your issues with a doctor specializing in obstetrics and gynecology-reproductive medicine.

Men may have a low sperm count, but that doesn’t mean they’re incapable of fathering a child. With the sperm retrieval methods currently being used today, most men having motile sperm are viable candidates for surgical sperm retrieval for IVF purposes.

The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis on the day of the partner’s egg harvesting, but patients can also freeze their sperm for future use. The type of procedure used to retrieve the sperm depends on the patient’s condition and whether they have any blockages in their scrotum.

Surgical Sperm Retrieval (SSR) for IVF refers to the use of a suction needle at the beginning of the sperm duct or testis, which may cause a small wound opening. SSR is used on men with an infertility problem and no sperm appearing in the ejaculate because of the following:

1. Obstructive Azoospermia
2. Non–obstructive Azoospermia

Retrieval Steps

1. Clean the testicles and the surrounding area with sterile techniques.
2. Provide local anesthesia, or conduct the procedure with anesthesia levels administered through the blood vessels.
3. Follow the specific steps of each of the following methods:

• PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) is a procedure that uses small needles to suck at the epididymis in order to bring the sperm out.
• TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction) is a procedure that opens a small incision in the scrotum area that leads to the testes membrane to extract the semen. The procedure is also used to retrieve sperm for a pathological examination. The extracted sperm can also be frozen for future use.
• MESA (Microsurgical Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) is a procedure performed through a small incision in the scrotum area using a microscope to suction out a small amount of the epididymis containing sperm.
• TESA (Testicular Sperm Aspiration) is a procedure that uses the suction of a needle in the testicle area. It either collects testicular tissue to extract the sperm, send the sperm for a pathological examination, or to freeze it for future use.

Success rate

The success rate of SSR depends on the cause of the absence of sperm, but it offers an average success rate of about 20%. 

Risk

The risk of sperm collection by surgery or complications during surgery is relatively low. However, the risks include the following: 

1. The risk of using anesthesia
2. Fever and chills
3. Surgical infection
4. Bleeding at the surgical wound
5. Papules in the scrotum
6. Pain around the surgical wounds and testes
7. Injuries to the testes
8. Testicles may dry up
9. Decrease in testicle size or loss of function

Your doctor will ensure you understand all the risks and your chances of success before you commit to any of the procedures offered at Vejthani Hospital’s VFC Center.