Testicular sperm extraction using microdissection for non‐obstructive azoospermia

Background : Men presenting with non‐obstructive azoospermia (NOA) caused by germinal failure can now be treated in some cases using testicular sperm extraction (TESE) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). However, TESE is a blind procedure that does not identify the focal sperm‐producing areas until excision of the testicular tissue. Microdissection TESE, which is the only method available for obtaining excised dilated seminiferous tubules under the operating microscope, improves sperm yield with minimal tissue excision in NOA patients. Methods and Results : We performed this procedure on 16 NOA patients. All subjects underwent a microdissection TESE on the right testis, and triple biopsy on the left testis in consecutive fashion in order to compare the efficacy of microdissection TESE with that of a standard biopsy. Although dilated seminiferous tubules were presented in all patients, spermatozoa were retrieved in only a single patient by microdissection TESE. Furthermore, spermatozoa could not be identified by standard biopsies. Conclusion : In this series, microdissection TESE did not contribute to spermatozoa recovery in NOA patients. Further study is needed in order to arrive at a reliable assessment of microdissection TESE relative to a standard multiple biopsy in cases of NOA. (Reprod Med Biol 2002; 1: 31–34)