Testicular Biopsy: Comparison of Open Surgical and Percutaneous Needle Biopsy Techniques

Lee, Sang Kon; Kim, Hyeon Hoe; Lee, Hee Yong

Abstract

Testicular biopsy has been known as very useful diagnostic procedure for the male infertility. For the past 9 months percutaneous testicular biopsy procedures were attempted on 64 patients with azoospermia or atrophic testis using a new Tru-Cut biopsy needle. In addition surgical testicular open biopsy procedure on one side and percutaneous testicular needle biopsy procedure on the other side were performed in comparison with two techniques. Biopsy specimens were fixed in Bouin solution. They were stained and histologically examined. Results were summarized as follows: Numbers of seminiferous tubules obtained by needle biopsy technique were found to be fewer than that of the tubules obtained by open biopsy technique. But diagnostic accuracy was not compromised by the needle biopsy technique. There was no bleeding either from the testis or scrotum, no extusion of testicular tissue from the puncuate site. In conclusion percutaneous testicular biopsy using Tru-Cut biopsy needle has been proved to be simple, time saving, less expensive and accurate method for testicular biopsy.