Seyer, A

Abstract Introduction Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (MicroTESE) is a procedure traditionally performed in the operating room for men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Sperm are extracted for use in IVF-ICSI with thawed eggs harvested from female partners. Our practice has evolved to largely perform microTESE in the office with an oral anxiolytic and spermatic cord block, thereby avoiding the risk of general anesthesia and the increased cost of OR utilization. Objective To report sperm retrieval outcomes, embryo development outcomes, and live birth rate amongst patients undergoing office-based fresh microTESE for nonobstructive azoospermia. Methods A review was conducted of all patients who underwent office-based microTESE for nonobstructive azoospermia with a partner that who underwent concurrent oocyte retrieval for an intended in-vitro fertilization (IVF) intracytoplasmic injection (ICSI) cycle 2022-2025. All male partners underwent Y chromosome microdeletion testing, karyotype analysis, and hormonal testing preoperatively. Patients with a diagnosis of hypogonadism were offered medical therapy and those diagnosed with a varicocele were offered varicocelectomy prior to microTESE. Office-based microTESE was performed using a surgical operating microscope, spermatic cord block, and oral anxiolytic. Female partners underwent oocyte retrieval with oocyte cryopreservation prior to microTESE. Oocyte warming and ICSI was performed only following the collection of motile sperm from the fresh microTESE samples. Relevant demographic and clinical data were collected for patients and their partners. Descriptive data analysis was performed and reported as mean ± standard deviation. Results Nineteen patients underwent 20 office-based microTESE procedures. One patient had repeat microTESE after an initial successful sperm extraction and live birth with the intention of having a second child. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 53% for first time microTESE with mean search time 174±74 min. Amongst couples with successful sperm retrieval, normal fertilization rate was 40%. Early cleavage arrest was seen in 84% of normally fertilized oocytes with a 16% blastocyst rate. Embryo development arrested entirely in three couples, while the remaining seven couples had at least one blastocyst on day 5 and underwent embryo transfer. Of these, five resulted in a clinical pregnancy (71%) and all five of these couples had a successful live birth. Conclusions Our small series over 3 years demonstrates high sperm retrieval rates from office-based microTESE. Fertilization rates are comparable with those reported in the literature, and viable pregnancy rate and live birth rate amongst those with successful blastocyst development is high (71%). Given the financial cost associated with microTESE and IVF/ICSI for nonobstructive azoospermia patients, office-based microTESE may be a solution to make the process more financially accessible for couples. Disclosure No