Sonographic evidence of minimal and short-term testicular damage after testicular sperm aspiration procedures

Objective To evaluate ultrasonically the incidence and duration of tissue damage after testicular sperm aspiration (TESA) procedures. Design Prospective, nonrandomized study. Setting Assisted reproductive technology program. Patient(s) Thirty-two men with obstructive azoospermia. Intervention(s) Physical and serial testicular ultrasound examinations 1.5, 3, and 6 months after the surgical procedure. Main outcome measure(s) Systematic evaluation of the testicular parenchyma and blood flow. Result(s) In 93.7% of the patients (30 of 32), no evidence of parenchymal or vascular injuries was found 6 weeks after the procedure. In the remaining 2 patients, transient evidence of tissue damage disappeared after 3 months. Conclusion(s) Testicular sperm aspiration is a safe surgical method for sperm retrieval for IVF. Repeated surgical attempts might be considered within 2 months, provided there is no evidence for tissue damage on sonography.