Testis biopsy in men: description of the procedure, preparation, cost, and patient reviews

Testicular biopsy is a special method for diagnosing male infertility, as well as a method for detecting malignant etiology of a tumor. During the procedure, the doctor may take tissue for further histological examination or obtain sperm for other alternative methods of conception. Today we learn a lot of important and interesting information regarding such a procedure as a testicular biopsy in men: price, preparation for manipulation, surgery, possible complications. We will also find out what patients themselves think about this diagnostic method.

In what cases can it be carried out?

A testicular biopsy in men is done in such situations:

1. With a diagnosis of azoospermia. This is a condition in which reproductive function is impaired. In this case, a biopsy helps determine the cause of azoospermia.
2. If the couple can not conceive a child in a natural way and resorts to other methods.
3. If a tumor is suspected in the male sex gland.

Side effects

Negative results can sometimes be observed after a procedure such as a testicular biopsy in men. The consequences are as follows:

1. Painful sensations.
2. Edema.
3. Accumulation of blood.
4. Hematoma, bruise. Additional steps to resolve the problem are not required.
5. The inflammatory process in the testicle or its appendage. Infection occurs, as a rule, after an open biopsy. In this case, the doctor prescribes antibacterial treatment, as well as thorough treatment of the wound with an antiseptic.
6. Testicular atrophy. It is accompanied by a decrease in the size of the organ and its functional disorders. To prevent this negative consequence, a man should re-visit the andrologist and make an ultrasound of the scrotum. The patient should carry out these measures as soon as a problem is discovered.

Testis biopsy in men: preparation for the procedure

There are clear rules that must be followed for 3 months before the manipulation:

1. Exclude any physical activity.
2. Wear loose cotton underwear.
3. Do not visit the bath, sauna.
4. Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
5. Healthy food.

If you follow these rules, then in the end the quality of the seminal fluid will be excellent and the couple will be able to have a healthy baby the first time.

4 days before the biopsy, a man should refrain from having sex or masturbation.

The day before the scheduled procedure, the patient must adhere to the following rules:

1. In the evening on the eve of the mini-operation, do not eat after 8 pm.
2. Exclude the use of sparkling water, as well as drinks containing caffeine.
3. On the morning of the appointed day, the man must shave the scrotum. You do not need to do this in advance so that irritation does not appear.
4. If a man takes any medications, then he must notify the doctor about it.

Preliminary analysis

Before carrying out a manipulation called testicular biopsy in men, the doctor must refer the patient to such studies as:

1. Smear from the urethra.
2. Coagulogram.
3. Taking tests for syphilis, hepatitis, HIV.
4. Electrocardiogram.
5. General blood analysis.
6. Determination of the Rhesus factor and blood type.

All of these tests can be completed in one day. If, according to the results of preliminary studies, any diseases are detected, then first you will need to undergo appropriate treatment, and then take the material.

Types of manipulation

Open biopsy. It is used for diagnostic purposes.

Puncture biopsy. It is carried out both for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

How is an open biopsy done?

This mini-operation is carried out in stationary conditions. A man is under local or general anesthesia during manipulation:

• the surgeon makes an incision on the skin, and then in the protein membrane of the testicle;
• cuts out a small piece of an organ;
• Sutures the incision with a cosmetic suture.

The duration of the manipulation is from 10 to 20 minutes. A man can go home that day. There he should not lead a sexual life for 2 days, and also not physically load his body. So a person will minimize the risk of injury after surgery.

An open biopsy is done in 3 ways:

1. TESE - an operation in which the wedge-shaped sections of the tissue of the testicles are removed.
2. Micro TESE - when the scrotum is opened, the testicle is exposed and under the microscope the doctor determines the appropriate channels in which the sperm should be.
3. MESA - a specialist isolates a large canal of the epididymis, and then aspirates its contents.
   

How is a biopsy done?

Manipulation is performed under local anesthesia, as well as ultrasound control. It is performed as follows:

• the surgeon punctures the testicle;
• sperm sampling is performed.

A puncture biopsy of a testicle in men has 2 ways of introducing a needle:

1. TESA - when the seed is taken from the testicle.
2. PESA - when material is removed from the appendage.
   

Which is better: open or puncture biopsy?

In the first case, special equipment is required. In the second option, a mini-operation can be carried out even in the dressing room.

The disadvantage of a puncture biopsy is the fact that the material is taken blindly. And this can lead to damage to blood vessels, the appearance of hematomas.

An open biopsy is carried out only in stationary conditions. But the advantage of conducting such a study is to minimize the risk of complications.

Behavior after the manipulation

When a procedure such as a testicular biopsy in men is performed, the doctor must consult the patient about how he should behave after the mini-operation, namely:

1. Be sure to take medications prescribed by your doctor.
2. Wear underwear made from natural fabric.
3. Keep the scrotum upright.
4. Remember to treat the wound with iodine.
5. Do not drive in the first day after a biopsy.
6. Do not take a shower or bath for 3 days after the procedure.

Grades

Such a procedure as a testicular biopsy in men receives positive reviews from representatives of the male half of humanity. True, the number of responses on the Internet is negligible. Men are not used to sharing their problems with other people, much less describe the situation and feelings through the World Wide Web. But women do it for them. They learn about how the procedure went, and then leave their posts on the forums. So, they note that it is better to carry out this manipulation under general anesthesia. If it is performed under local anesthesia, the man will hear everything that happens on the operating table. Since the nervous system of the guys is not as strong as that of the girls, they can become very nervous, or begin to interfere with the doctor, asking him inappropriate questions. And people are advised to do the procedure not in the summer. In hot weather, a person will feel discomfort in the postoperative period. This is confirmed by many men. The stronger sex recommends, if possible, to postpone the manipulation in the spring-autumn or winter periods.

Testicular biopsy in men: price of the procedure

The cost of this method of taking material is different and depends on several factors:

1. Region, medical center where the mini-operation will be performed.
2. Type of surgery (open or puncture biopsy).
3. The technique of manipulation (taking material from the testicle or from its appendage).
4. Anesthesia method (general or local anesthesia).

Based on these criteria, the price for a procedure such as testicular biopsy in men is formed. The cost of manipulation ranges from 25,000-65,000 rubles. This price includes:

1. Anesthesia.
2. Fabric fence.
3. Comfortable stay in the clinic.
4. Postoperative observation.

To clarify the price, a person should contact the clinic where the biopsy will be done.

Sperm sampling techniques

There are only two of them:

1. Direct IVF implementation by ICSI. The procedure is performed after the egg is taken from a woman.
2. Preservation of seminal fluid. Thanks to this technique, the sperm obtained can be kept alive and fertilization is performed outside the IVF cycle. Moreover, frozen semen retains its properties for 1 year.

Conclusion

In this article, you learned how to do a biopsy of the testicles in men, what methods are used for this. This method of sampling the material must be done if there is a chance of a malignant tumor. A biopsy is also performed on men to determine sperm quality and further chances of becoming a father. You should not be afraid of this procedure. If you do a biopsy with a qualified doctor, in a good clinic, then the risks of complications will be minimal.