Microdissection testicular sperm extraction in men with Sertoli cell–only testicular histology

Abstract

To study the outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (microTESE) among men with pure Sertoli cell-only histology on diagnostic testicular biopsy. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary referral center. Six hundred forty patients with pure Sertoli cell-only histology on testicular biopsy who underwent microTESE by a single surgeon. MicroTESE. Sperm retrieval rates. Overall, 44.5% of patients with Sertoli cell only had sperm retrieved with microTESE. No difference was noted in sperm retrieval rates based on testis volume (≥15mL vs. <15mL, 35.3% vs. 46.1%, respectively). Patients with ≥15mL testicular volume and FSH 10-15 mU/mL had the worst prognosis, with a sperm retrieval rate of 6.7%. Patients with previous testicular biopsy demonstrating Sertoli cell-only histology can be counseled that they have a reasonable likelihood of sperm retrieval with the contemporary delivery of microTESE. Given this finding, the utility of testicular biopsy before microTESE is further questioned.