For men who have no sperm in their ejaculate (also known as azoospermia), one option for the retrieval of sperm is testicular sperm extraction (TESE). There have been a number of microsurgical advances in this technique to optimize the likelihood of finding sperm at the time of the procedure. We have developed a robotic microsurgical technique for TESE that may potentially further improve these outcomes
Doppler Duplex Testicular Mapping
Previous studies have shown that in men who are azoospermic (no sperm in ejaculate) there may be areas of the testicle with better blood flow that harbor sperm that could be used in combination with assisted reproductive rechniques (In-vitro fertilization - IVF) to achieve a pregnancy. Ous center currently offers a study evaluating the use of a novel Doppler Duplex flow mapping device that allows us to map the testicular blood flow and possibly predict areas that may harbor sperm for extraction.
TESE Outcome Predictor
An algorithm to pre-operatively predict the likelihood of finding sperm at the time of TESE has also been developed (66% accurate in a multi-institutional study). A web based interface is provided below that you are free to utilize to assess the likelihood of finding sperm at the time of TESE based on your pre-operative testicular size parameters and semen analysis pH:
If you are a physician or medical professional interested to collaborating with us in continued development of this model, we offer a web based interphase to allow you to enter multiple data entries to assess the validity of this model in your patient cohort. We would be glad to work with you in refining the model and enhancing its applicability to more patients. Please Click here to access the TESE predictor research and development page.
