Surgical Sperm Retrieval

When sperm is not present in the ejaculate, surgical sperm recovery may be recommended to investigate the possibility of collecting sperm for treatment.

This procedure is performed under local anaesthetic. A needle is inserted through the scrotal skin into the epididymis or testes and gentle suction is applied. Sufficient sperm can be obtained in 80 percent of procedures. Sperm collected in this way can then be used for ICSI (Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection please refer to Treatment Options).

If possible, we will obtain enough sperm for freezing as well. This may mean that you will not need another sperm recovery procedure if future IVF cycles are undertaken (although it depends on how well the sperm tolerate the freezing/thawing procedure). There is a cost if sperm is frozen (cryopreserved).

Men can usually go to work the day after this procedure.

Freezing and Storage Of Sperm

Sperm can be frozen and stored in liquid nitrogen at -196^oC for up to 10 years. This includes sperm retrieved from the testes or epididymis by surgery or biopsy.

The effectiveness of sperm freezing is variable and there is no guarantee that the sperm will survive thawing or that the thawed sperm will be fertile and give rise to a pregnancy if used with intra uterine insemination, IVF or ICSI.