In the case of Azoospermia (no sperms in the ejaculate), a surgical sperm retrieval procedure has to be performed by the Andrologist to obtain sperms from vas deferens (tubes transporting sperms) or testis. TESE, TESA, and PESA are the standard procedures available for sperm harvesting.
In this, a fine needle is used to the aspirated fluid containing sperms from the epididymis. It is carried out in local anesthesia, and is not very painful, and is done in a few minutes. No surgical incision is given. The sperms retrieved are used in ICSI.
In this procedure, the epididymis is exposed by microsurgery, and epididymal fluid is collected after a micro-incision in dilated tubules.