In this procedure, the patient undergoes a 10 minute office based procedure under local anesthesia. Anesthetic is given and the scrotal skin and the entire testicle are completely numbed. Once the patient reports absolutely no pain, a 2 to 3 mm nick is made in the skin of the scrotum. About 3 to 4 samples of tissue are then retrieved directly from the testicle through this cut, and are sent to the embryology lab for processing and freezing. The patient walks out on his own minutes later.

For couples where the male partner has an obstruction (whether due to vasectomy, missing ducts or previous infection), this brief procedure will lead to successful sperm retrieval in about 95% of couples. This sperm can then only be used for IVF. Recovery is fast and most patients are back to work within a day. It provides for a simpler alternative to vasectomy reversal in patients desiring one child.

Post-procedural pain is usually mild and self limited, and in most patients will resolve with use of either Advil or Tylenol. Bleeding, hematoma and infection are very rare.

Yes – in a subset of men in couples where there have been multiple IVF failure using ejaculated sperm, there may be a role for miniTESE. Please come in to meet with Dr. Berookhim to discuss this further.

Very often, the answer is yes. We will work with your insurance plan and submit supporting documentation to maximize the likelihood that this procedure will be covered under your plan benefits.