(87) PRELIMINARY RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED STUDY COMPARING MICRO TESE AND TESE PERFORMED WITH SURGICAL LOUPES IN MALE PATIENTS WITH NON-OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA

Abstract Objectives To compare surgical outcomes and retrieval rates between conventional microsurgical-assisted testicular sperm extraction (m-Tese) AND TESE PERFORMED WITH SURGICAL LOUPES (L-TESE) IN ADULT MALES AFFECTED BY NON-OBSTRUCTIVE AZOOSPERMIA (NOA). Methods A multicentric prospective randomized trial (Ethics Committee N°: 202/2022) was conducted starting in March 2022 including NOA-affected patients. In the present study, we present our preliminary results after the first 6 months of enrollment. Adult males with NOA without genetic alterations who agreed to participate in the study and signed the required informed consent were included. Sperm retrieval rate (SRr), intra and post-operative complication rate (according to Clavien-Dindo classification), hormonal profile trends were considered as outcomes during the follow-up period. Results 6 patients were enrolled between March 2022 and June 2022. Median follow-up was 5 months (IQR 3-6). Median age was 40 (IQR 35-44). Preoperative median FSH was 18.3 UI/l (IQR 15 -32) and total Testosterone was 3.95 ng/mL (IQR 2.7-4.9). Overall, SRr occurred in one patient (16.6%) from both sides. In patients with a negative SRr the histopathological report highlighted a Sertoli cells only syndrome (SCOS) in 4 cases and a tubular scleroyalinosis associated with early spermatogenic arrest in the last patient. No intraoperative complications were recorded. As regards postoperative complications, no significant differences were recorded between the two surgical approaches, there was a single case of wound infection (Clavien Dindo I) following the procedure. Considering the operative L-TeSE proved to be faster than m-TeSe with a median saving of 20 minutes (IQR 14-28) for each procedure. Conclusions According to our preliminary the two procedures may guarantee comparable outcomes in term of SRr. Additionally, L-Tese may allow to save operative time when compared to the m-Tese apparently. Conflicts of Interest The authors declare no conflict of interest.