PESA – Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations
Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations, also known as percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) is a sperm retrieval technique used as part of a fertility treatment. Couples struggling with male infertility may be good candidates for the PESA technique as part of their fertility treatment package. This technique allows the fertility specialist to retrieve higher numbers of sperm for cryopreservation, and is generally less invasive than ICSI.
Talk to your fertility specialist about the pros and cons of percutaneous epidydimal aspirations (PESA) and other sperm retrieval techniques.
PESA – Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations Technique
The percutaneous epidydimal aspirations technique is performed using a series of microsurgical techniques. The sperm are aspirated through a butterfly needle that is placed into the caudal portion of the epididymis, and allows the doctor to retrieve a large number of sperm in one session. Most fertility specialists attempt to perform this type of treatment first because it is far less invasive than ICSI. If sperm collection fails with PESA, the fertility specialist may perform the microsurgical epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) technique instead.
PESA – Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations
Recovered sperm from this technique can then be preserved until they are needed for treatment. The PESA technique has both advantages and disadvantages over the MESA technique and other sperm retrieval procedures. You can learn more about the pros and cons of this technique when you meet with your fertility specialist. If the male has already undergone a number of sperm retrieval procedures, the success rates with PESA do diminish.
PESA – Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations Advantages
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Less invasive than ICSI
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Can retrieve a higher number of sperm than MESA
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Sperm can be preserved easily for future use
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Does not require a skin incision
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Fairly easy to perform
PESA – Percutaneous Epidydimal Aspirations Disadvantages
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Success rate diminishes after multiple procedures are performed
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Sperm can become contaminated with blood
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Sperm typically has to be frozen correctly to store for a future treatment
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Has a tendency to retrieve sperm that are less mature and have lower motility
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Repeated procedures may be required
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Risk of damaging the blood vessels and the epididymal tubule
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Low quantities of sperm are typically collected
