PESA (Percutaneous Epididymal Sperm Aspiration) is a minimally invasive technique used to retrieve sperm in cases of male infertility. It is particularly preferred for men with obstructive azoospermia, where sperm is not present in semen due to a blockage in the sperm ducts.
The PESA procedure is performed under local anesthesia and does not require a surgical incision. Using a fine needle, sperm is aspirated from the epididymis, a tube that carries sperm from the testes. The retrieved sperm is then used in IVF treatment through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) to fertilize eggs.
PESA is less invasive than the MESA procedure and does not require stitches. However, in some cases, a sufficient number of motile and viable sperm may not be obtained. If necessary, alternative surgical sperm retrieval techniques such as TESA or MESA can be used.
This method is an ideal treatment option for men who have undergone vasectomy or have a congenital absence of sperm ducts. Additionally, sperm obtained through PESA can be frozen for use in future IVF treatments.