Is testicular sperm extraction a very common procedure?

Not common overall: Overall not common. Common in major infertility practices and only used for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (icsi). Sperm are extracted from men's testes for icsi, a form of invitro fertilisation, when there are either no sperm or only non-motile or dead sperm in the semen. Sperm extraction is performed either by needle or actually cutting into testis surgically. Harvesting checked by microscopy.

Reasonably so: Testicular sperm extraction is only required for a few special situations. Men with obstructive azoospermia (say prior vasectomy or infection) almost always have sperm and needle aspiration (w sedation) is extremely effective but requires ivf/icsi. Men with non-obstructive azoospermia (multiple causes) require open surgical biopsy and at least 1/3 will not have any sperm to retrieve. Good luck.

Sperm Extraction: Testicular sperm extraction is useful for cases of epididymal obstruction. If obstruction is present, then a simple aspiration of sperm can easily be done, and sperm can be frozen for use at the time of ivf. If the needle aspiration does not find sperm, testicular biopsy can provide sperm for ivf. The ivf center md can direct you to find a fertility trained urologist to assist you.