Sperm Aspiration Patient Information

What to Expect

Sperm aspiration refers to the procedure used to obtain viable sperm from the male reproductive tract. The collected sperm are intended specifically for use with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This information is to support documentation received from your urologist’s office.

How to prepare instructions

• Abstain for 3 days prior to the procedure.
• 24 hours prior to your procedure, do not take NSAIDs (such as Ibuprofen, Advil, Naproxen etc.)
• Ensure you have completed your consultation with your urologist, as they will be providing the follow up care as needed. 
• You will be able to eat and drink as normal, only local sedation will be used to numb the area, you will be given tylenol for pain management. Please ask your doctor if you require a note off from work or additional pain medications. 
• Bring loose clothing to wear, as you will be tender for 24-48 hours. If the procedure is completed on the same day as your partner, then you will be directed to their recovery bay to rest there until you are both ready to be discharged. Otherwise, you can return to normal activity once your nurse has completed your discharge process. 

Procedures

PESA (percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration)

The procedure is performed with local anaesthetic (freezing the area of the scrotum). There will be a Nurse and your Urologist in the room with you, as well as an embryologist, in order to ensure a safe procedure. 

The Doctor will assess the scrotum and decide which testicle will be easier to access, and then prep the site with betadine, a brown/orange solution that can stain the skin. Sometimes, shaving the site is necessary. The doctor will administer the local anesthetic and may require assistance from the Pollin Toronto nurse to stabilize the scrotum.  Following the freezing, a very thin needle will be placed through the skin into the epididymis. The urologist will then attempt to aspirate sperm, which could be used for in-vitro fertilisation. The laboratory will confirm if there is enough for ICSI.

Once the sperm motility and amount are confirmed by the urologist and embryologist, the Pollin Nurse will hold pressure over the puncture site for 60 seconds. A bandage will be applied, and a basin of warm water will be provided for cleaning post-procedure. 

TESE (testicular sperm extraction)

If the urologist is not able to obtain enough sperm via PESA, a small cut is made in the scrotum (the skin over the testicles) and a sample will be taken from the testicular tissue and sent to the laboratory. The laboratory will confirm if there is enough for ICSI.

**If you have any questions or concerns regarding your procedures and care both before and afterwards please contact your primary care team with your questions for the urologist. 

Day of Procedure

• Arrival: You will be given an arrival time to be prepared prior to your procedure.
• You will be given local anesthetic during your procedure.
• Procedure typically takes approximately 15-30 minutes.

Post Procedure Instructions

• Your vital signs will be taken after the procedure. 
• You will be given an ice pack after the procedure. 
• You will relax for at least 15 minutes after the procedure.  It is common to experience some dizziness after the procedure, some food and drink will be provided. 
• There is no heavy lifting for 1 week after the procedure and any follow-up care will be arranged by your urologist. 
• The bandage can be removed when you get home from your procedure, shower as per usual, but no bathing or swimming for 48 hours. 
• Please take Tylenol for pain management, avoid any NSAIDS for 48 hours.