Microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) is a specialised surgical technique performed under an operating microscope, allowing the surgeon to identify and remove the small areas of testicular tissue most likely to contain sperm while minimising damage to the rest of the testis. It is generally used for non-obstructive azoospermia, where sperm production is patchy or severely reduced, and standard needle or open TESE has a lower chance of success. Micro-TESE offers the best available chance of finding sperm in many cases of non-obstructive azoospermia, including some men with Klinefelter syndrome or certain Y-chromosome microdeletions, but it does not guarantee that sperm will be found, and outcomes vary with the underlying cause. It is performed by surgeons with specific training and equipment, usually at larger fertility centres, and any sperm retrieved is used with ICSI, with successful samples often frozen for future use.
Also known as: micro-TESE, microsurgical TESE, microdissection testicular sperm extraction
Sources
- ICMR Standard Treatment Workflows (icmr.gov.in/standard-treatment-workflows-stws)
- American Society for Reproductive Medicine (asrm.org)
Last reviewed: 9 September 2026. Written by the Antega Editorial Team. General information only — always follow the advice of your own clinic, doctor or pharmacist.