What is Robotic treatment for male infertility?
Male infertility is a significant cause of infertility in almost half of infertile couples. Over the last several decades, the treatment of infertility has advanced with the emergence of new assisted reproduction techniques like In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF), Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSCI), and microsurgery techniques including robotic surgery. Advanced robotic surgery has a remarkable success rate and is of exceptional advantage in treating male infertility.
Surgical procedures performed using robotic technology allow for unmatched precision, dexterity and control for the surgeon compared to other conventional techniques. Robotic surgery is less invasive, safe and offers several advantages over traditional open surgery. Furthermore, patients experience much less pain, minimal scarring, decreased blood loss, less complications and shorter hospital stay with early recovery and return to work.
What are Robotic Treatment Options for Male infertility?
The robotic treatment options available to treat male infertility include:
Robotic Vasectomy Reversal
Robotic vasectomy reversal or robotic vasovasostomy is an operative procedure to restore fertility to previously vasectomized men. The procedure involves reconnecting the cut ends of the vas deferens (a tube for the passage of sperm from the testicle to the urethra) during a vasectomy. Most of the vasectomized men are likely to have an obstruction in the epididymis (the storage vessel for sperm, located behind the testicle). In such patients, Robotic Vasoepididymostomy is the available option. Robotic vasoepididymostomy involves cutting the distal end of vas deferens and connecting it directly to the epididymal tubule above the level of blockage or obstruction in the epididymis. Robotic surgery reduces overall surgery time, improves the healing rate and allows more flexible and precise suturing of the incision. Bleeding within the scrotum, infection, blockage of the vas deferens (possibly by blood clots), and damage to nerves and blood vessels impeding fertility are the possible complications after a robotic vasectomy reversal.
Robotic TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)
In azoospermic men, who have no sperm in their ejaculate, robotic testicular sperm extraction (TESE) is a possible option to retrieve sperm flow. The robotic TESE improves the performance of mapping testicular blood flow, determines the areas of concealed sperm in the testes for extraction, and helps to cure infertility.
Robotic-assisted microsurgical varicocelectomy is a suitable surgical option for infertile men with varicocele, dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus in the scrotum. These dilated veins can cause sperm abnormalities and lead to infertility. Varicocelectomy procedure involves ligation of the dilated and abnormal veins that drain the testicle.
