Operative sperm retrieval - the urological aspects

Nowadays operative sperm retrieval in connection with assisted reproduction is a well established procedure in urological-gynecological co-working-gro ups. MESA (microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration) and TESE (testicular sperm extraction) are the fundamental procedures in case of non-reconstruct able obstructive azoospermia or testicular azoospermia. Percutaneous techni ques as PESA (percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration) or PTESE (percutane ous testicular sperm extraction), as they a re often favorised in the anglo -american countries and the countries of Northern Europe have to be discuss ed to their efficacy (number of retrieved spermatozoa) and the possible tes ticular injury due to the blind or ultrasound-guided puncture.