The biopsy is done on an outpatient basis, which means that you can go home the same day. The procedure can be performed under local anesthesia (spinal or epidural) or general anesthesia. It lasts about 15 minutes. Sperm collection is done by testicular puncture, which can be performed on one or both testicles.
There are two types of procedures for testicular biopsy in Tunisia:
Percutaneous testicular biopsy
Percutaneous testicular biopsy is performed with an automatic gun. It is a fine biopsy needle that is infiltrated through the skin at the level of the spermatic cords. The needle has a syringe at the end to collect the testicular tissue. The testicular tissue sample is taken bi-laterally. And just like the classic testicular biopsy, the percutaneous biopsy is indicated for men who suffer from azoospermia in order to provide spermatozoa for the purpose of IVF (in vitro fertilization) by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). This procedure does not require an incision or stitches. It is also called a fine needle biopsy.
Surgical Testicular Biopsy
The doctor begins by making a small incision (about 1cm) in the scrotum (usually in the middle part of the testicles, at the birth of the testicular sac). He removes the testicle from its bursa and takes a small piece of tissue. The testicle is then sewn back together with absorbable threads.