Application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration in azoospermia.

OBJECTIVE: The present study introduces the application of percutaneous epididymal sperm aspiration (PESA) for diagnosis of obstructive azoospermia and non-obstructive azoospermia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: 96 cases diagnosed with azoospermia were selected, standard methods were used to measure testicular volume, chemiluminescence was used to test serum sexual hormone levels, and No. 7 butterfly needles were applied to puncture the head of the epididymis and aspirate epididymal luminal fluid.

RESULTS: Among 96 cases of azoospermia, sperm was found in the epididymal luminal fluid of 49 cases, among which there were 41 cases with normal testicular volume and 8 cases with low volume. 39 cases had normal serum FSH levels, and 10 cases had increased serum FSH levels. There were 47 cases with no sperm, among which there were 26 cases with normal testicular volume and 21 cases with low volume. 29 cases had normal serum FSH levels, and 18 cases had increased levels. The success rate of puncture for patients with normal testicular volume was higher than that of patients with low volume, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The success rate of puncture for patients with normal serum FSH levels was higher than that of patients with increased levels, and the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: PESA is simple and efficient, and is a feasible method for diagnosis of azoospermia.