A child is a dream of every family. But sometimes, due to various health reasons, it takes a while to realize that dream. In particular, male infertility can be a reason for this. We all understand the sadness and stress that we feel at a time like this. But the best thing is that today's advanced medical science has very successful solutions to such problems. Today, we are talking about a very advanced surgical procedure used as a treatment for male infertility. That is microTESE.
Simply put, what is microTESE?
microTESE (Microsurgical Testicular Sperm Extraction) is a special surgical procedure that treats male infertility. In simple terms, it involves extracting sperm directly from the testicles of a man with azoospermia.
Think of it this way. Sometimes sperm are produced inside a person's testicles, but they don't come out with the semen. MicroTESE is like using a very powerful microscope to find and extract healthy sperm hidden in the tiny channels inside the testicles.
There are three main goals of this surgery:
- Obtaining the best quality sperm possible.
- Obtaining a sufficient number of sperm to fertilize a healthy egg.
- Minimizing damage to your reproductive organs.
Who is this surgery recommended for?
Doctors usually recommend this treatment for men with a condition called Azoospermia . This means that when a semen test is performed, no sperm can be found in the semen. If you also want to have a child but are unable to produce healthy sperm naturally, your doctor will explain the microTESE procedure to you.
The important thing is that just because there are no sperm in your semen doesn't mean that your body isn't producing sperm at all. It's possible that sperm is being produced in very small amounts inside the testicles. MicroTESE is used to find and collect that small amount.
How do you prepare before surgery?
Before having this surgery, you will need to see a specialist (Urologist). There,
- Talk about your complete health history.
- A physical examination will be performed to check your general health.
- Things like blood pressure and pulse are checked.
At this time, it is essential to tell your doctor about any allergies you have and all medications you are taking (prescribed, over-the-counter, even herbal products), as some medications can increase the risk of bleeding.
You will be advised not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. If you need to take any essential medication, take it with a sip of water. Your doctor will explain all of this to you clearly.
How is the surgery performed and what happens afterwards?
Let's take a look at how this process works and what you need to be careful about afterwards.
| microTESE procedure and recovery time | |
|---|---|
| During surgery | |
| Step 1: Anesthesia | You will be given general anesthesia so that you will not feel any pain. So you will be asleep. |
| Step 2: Surgery | The doctor makes a very small incision in the middle of the scrotum. Then, using a high-powered microscope, they identify the fine tubes inside the testicle that may contain sperm. |
| Step 3: Obtaining samples | Several very small tissue samples (testicular biopsy) are taken from the identified ducts. These are sent to the laboratory. |
| Step 4: Searching for sperm | In the laboratory, a specialist examines this tissue sample under a microscope to see if it contains healthy sperm. |
| After surgery | |
| Results and use | If sperm are found, they can be used immediately for fertilization (IVF) with one of your partner's eggs or stored in the freezer (cryopreservation) for later use. |
| Recovery time | It may take several weeks to fully recover. You may not be able to go to work for two or three days. If you have a physically demanding job, you may need to rest for a while longer. |
| Pain control | There may be some pain and swelling for the first two days. Applying an ice pack will provide relief. Use painkillers as prescribed by your doctor. |
When can you have sex?
Doctors usually advise you to avoid sexual intercourse and masturbation for a few days after surgery. Your doctor will tell you exactly when it is appropriate based on your condition.
What are the benefits and risks of this?
The main advantage is that you have a much higher chance of fulfilling your dream of becoming a father. Depending on the cause of the azoospermia condition, microTESE surgery has been able to retrieve healthy sperm with a success rate of up to 60% .
Also, like all surgeries, there are some risks .
- The main thing is that there is a chance that sperm will not be found even after surgery.
- Risks associated with anesthesia.
- Bleeding.
- Infection.
- Pain and discomfort.
- There is a possibility of permanent damage to the testicles, but this is very rare .
Infertility is a sensitive topic that many people don't want to talk about. But it's not a personal weakness or an indication that you're unfit to have a child. It's a treatable medical condition. Treatments like microTESE can give you and your partner the opportunity to have a biological child.
When you need to call the doctor immediately
If you experience any of the symptoms below after surgery, you should contact your doctor immediately.
- If there is severe pain .
- If there is excessive bleeding around the incision.
- Blood in the urine (hematuria).
- If you notice signs of infection (fever, chills, swelling around the incision, redness/purple/brown/black discoloration, or pus).
- If you are showing signs of sepsis.
What is the difference between TESE and microTESE?
TESE is another method of obtaining sperm from the testicles. However, TESE does not use a microscope. TESE is usually used when there is an obstruction in the sperm passage (obstructive azoospermia). However, in cases where sperm production in the testicles is very low (non-obstructive azoospermia), microTESE, which is performed under a microscope, is the most successful and safest method.
Take-Home Message
- MicroTESE is a very successful treatment for male infertility (especially in the case of Azoospermia).
- This involves obtaining healthy sperm directly from the testicles using a high-powered microscope.
- The sperm obtained through this process can help you realize your dream of becoming a father through IVF technology.
- As with all surgeries, there are some minor risks, so discuss these openly with your doctor before treatment.
- Infertility is nothing to be ashamed of. With the right medical advice and treatment, this condition can be overcome.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න