Male Infertility Microsurgical Training

Abstract

Microsurgical training is important for urologists and clinical ­andrologists specializing in male infertility [1, 2]. Like “pure microvascular,” plastic, and other reconstructive microsurgeries, microsurgery for male infertility ranks among the most technically and mentally challenging of surgical procedures. Most male infertility microsurgeries are performed under 10–25× magnification. Under the operating microscope, tiny movements are magnified by 15–40×. There are few surgical fields where outcomes are so dependent on technical performance in the operating room. Success in male infertility microsurgery is therefore heavily dependent on the quality and extent of practice and training in the microsurgical laboratory [3, 4]. Coordination, dexterity, and steadiness of one’s hands and fingers can be developed with extensive practice in the laboratory. The purpose of this chapter is to review the basic male infertility microsurgical skills for working with microsurgical instruments, needles, and sutures at different magnifications. Male infertility microsurgery should be learned in the laboratory, not on patients.