Life Healthcare is a leading private hospital operator in South Africa and primarily serves the market for privately insured individuals, representing approximately eight million people. The group provides mainly acute care, high technology private hospital services.
The extensive hospital network includes 64 hospitals (of which 57 are majority owned by Life Healthcare and another seven in which the group holds substantial minority ownership), providing a range of healthcare services throughout South Africa.
What is MESA?
MESA (Micro-Epididymal Sperm Aspiration), is a fertility treatment procedure for men who have an absence of sperm in their ejaculate. MESA is used alongside the ICSI fertility procedure.
How is MESA carried out?
The surgeon makes a small cut in the scrotum and exposes the epididymis, the place where sperm are stored prior to ejaculation.
Sperm are extracted from the epididymis using a fine needle and syringe.
The sperm are then stored in the laboratory for use in the ICSI procedure.
Who is a suitable candidate for MESA?
MESA is carried out on men who have no sperm in their ejaculate. This can happen for a number of reasons - a blockage in the vas deferens that stops sperm passing from the testicles to the penis, a vasectomy that means the passages have been cut, or a congenital problem which means the man is born without a vas deferens (congenital absence of the vas deferens (CAVD)).
About MESA
Key facts to plan your treatment: how long it takes, your hospital stay, anaesthesia, risks and recovery.
Duration of surgery/treatment
The MESA procedure takes between 1 and 2 hours to complete.
Days admitted
None. MESA is carried out as an outpatient procedure and requires no overnight stay.
Anesthesia
MESA is usually carried out under general anesthesia although local anesthesia may also be used.
Recovery
You will be able to return to normal activities the day after the MESA surgical procedure.
Risks
- Infection from surgery.
- Swelling.
- No sperm able to be retrieved.
After care
- Discomfort and swelling in the groin area can be relieved with mild pain killer.
- Keep the surgical area clean and dry following the MESA procedure.
Hospital Group
Hospital Group
Private Hospital