Testicular biopsy
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WHAT IS THE TESTICULAR BIOPSY?
The testicular biopsy involves removing a small sample of tissue from one or both testicles.
The tissue is then examined under a microscope to assess the ability of a man to be father. The testicles are glands of oval shape that hang in the scrotum below the base of the penis.
A testicular biopsy can be done to help determine the cause of male sterility. However, this is rare. You can also do if you have the following conditions:
• The man's semen has no sperm.
• The hormonal tests are within normal limits.
PROCESS OF MAKING A TESTICULAR BIOPSY
The testicular biopsy can be performed in the doctor's office, at an ambulatory surgical center or in the operating center of a hospital. The process typically takes 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 1
You will lie face-up on an examination table. The skin will be cleaned overlying the testicles with an antiseptic solution and will cover the surrounding area with sterile clothes. The biopsy usually takes up to 15 to 20 minutes.
Step 2
We will inject a local anesthetic into the skin of the scrotum to numb the area. Then, we will make a small incision in the skin and extract a small portion of testicular tissue with a pair of small scissors. We use a single stitch to close the incision in the testicles. Then we another stitch to close the incision in the skin. (It is not necessary to remove the stitches, your body will absorb them over time).
Step 3
Then, a bandage is placed in the scrotum area. You will be asked to wear an athletic supporter for several days after the procedure. This will help to provide support to the testicles while they heal the cuts. If general anesthesia is used, you will be asleep and will not feel anything, but it is always be used the same method.
Step 4
The results of a biopsy of the testicle are available between 2 and 4 days after. A pathologist will examine the biopsy specimen through a microscope. He or she will try to detect any abnormalities of the sperm. Sometimes, the production of sperms seems normal, but a semen analysis shows a decrease or absence of sperm. In that case, the duct leading from the testicles to the urethra may be clogged. This duct is known as the vas deferens. Sometimes, the obstruction can be repaired with surgery.
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