Open versus closed epididymal sperm retrieval in men with secondarily obstructed vasal systems--a preliminary report

To evaluate and compare sperm quality and suitability for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from open and percutaneous epididymal aspiration in men with obstructive azoospermia, and to determine the relevance of epididymal morphology.

A series of 20 men undergoing vasectomy reversal were evaluated by percutaneous (PESA) and open epididymal sperm aspiration (MESA) before undergoing surgery for reversal. Two samples were taken with PESA, one with the needle in situ (PESA1) and the second while withdrawing the needle (PESA2). Epididymal morphology was graded as normal, distended and grossly distended. Five men undergoing vasectomy served as a control, nonobstructed group for percutaneous aspiration. Analysis of the aspirates was performed immediately after operation with no knowledge of the treatment, and aspiration was considered successful if sperm suitable for ICSI were retrieved.

In the obstructed group, 15 of 20 men had successful PESA and 13 of these also had successful MESA. PESA was successful bilaterally eight times compared with MESA on five occasions; two men with successful PESA had no success with MESA. PESA2 was five times more successful than PESA1. Only one PESA in the non-obstructed group was suitable for ICSI. PESA was successful in 21 of 25 distended or grossly distended epididymi compared with only three of 21 non-distended systems.

PESA is a viable alternative to MESA in patients with obstructive azoospermia, particularly when associated with clinically distended epididymi.