Abstract
Background: Low-chance retrieval non-obstructive azoospermic (NOA) patients are a subpopulation of NOA patients. The objective of this study is to compare the surgical outcome of microsurgical-assisted testicular sperm extraction (M-TeSE) and combined trifocal/M-TeSE in low-chance retrieval NOA patients. Material and Methods: A single-center retrospective analysis of NOA patients who underwent testicular sperm extraction was performed. Low-chance retrieval NOA (testicular volume < 10 cc and FSH > 12.4 UI/L) was set as the inclusion criteria. Re-do TeSE procedures were excluded from the current analysis. Data were extrapolated from clinical records and operative notes. We compared data from patients who underwent classic M-TeSE (group A) with that from patients submitted to combined trifocal/M-TeSE (group B). Sperm retrieval rate (SRr) was the primary outcome of the study. Surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were evaluated. A multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate predictive factors for positive SR. Results: Overall, 80 patients (60 patients in Group A and 20 patients in Group B) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The average (SD) age was 35 (8.2) years. The average preoperative FSH was 27.5 (13) UI/L. The average testicular volume was 6.3 (3) cc on the left side and 6.8 (2.5) cc on the right. Groups were similar in terms of preoperative parameters. The overall SRr was 28%. Patients in group B had higher SRr than those in group A (29.4% vs. 26.9%, p < 0.03). We identified a significant association between testicular histopathology and positive SR (hypospermatogenesis 100%, spermatogenic arrest 32%, and Sertoli cell-only syndrome 22%). The histopathology report was the only significant predicting factor for SR in the multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The combined trifocal and M-TeSE approach is safe and may represent a valuable approach to enhance the SRr in low-chance retrieval NOA. The histopathology report is confirmed to be the only valuable predicting factor for a positive SR.