Surgical management of male infertility beyond assisted reproductive technology.
- Author:
Guo-hua ZENG
1
;
Hua MEI
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Humans; Infertility, Male; surgery; therapy; Male; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted; Retrospective Studies; Treatment Failure; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2005;11(3):189-190
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the role of urological surgery for male infertility which is beyond the help of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed the records of 7 male infertility patients who, having failed to respond to ART, underwent urological surgery from 1999 to 2003. Of the 7 cases, 4 were varicocele, 2 were post-bilateral vasectomy and 1 was bilateral chronic epididymitis. For the 7 patients, 6 times we performed in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and 5 times we attempted intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) , but all failed. After that, we resorted to surgical approaches, ligation of internal spermatic veins in 4 cases, bilateral vasovasostomy in 2, and unilateral epididymovasostomy in 1.
RESULTSAfter surgical intervention, 2 cases fathered children, 1 achieved pregnancy and 3 cases improved in the quality and quantity of seminal fluid; only 1 failed to respond to the therapy.
CONCLUSIONIn the treatment of male infertility, priority should be given to surgical intervention and, in case of failure, assisted reproductive technology could be considered.
