Critical appraisal:Berookhim BM, Mulhall JP 2014

Critical Appraisal

Article being appraised

Berookhim BM, Mulhall JP. Outcomes of operative sperm retrieval strategies for fertility preservation among males scheduled to undergo cancer treatment. Fertil Steril 2014 Mar;101(3):805-11 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24424372.

Applicable clinical question

• In male cancer patients does the use of cryopreserved testicular tissue result in pregnancy and live birth? Is there any evidence of harm from the harvesting procedure?

Key Facts

Study Design

case series

Study aims:

To describe the outcomes of electroejaculation (EEJ) and testicular sperm extraction (TESE) performed for fertility preser- vation among male patients who are unable to ejaculate or have nonobstructive azoospermia/severe oligospermia before definitive cancer therapy

Number of Patients:

49

Reported outcome(s):

Sperm retrieval rates
Note use of sperm in ART was not reported

Results of outcome(s):

59% of patients had sperm retrieved fro cryopreservation
There were no complications of the harvesting procedure

Includes an economic evaluation

no

Evidence ratings

Level of evidence

IV

Risk of bias

High risk of bias

Comments:

Size of effect

5	Reason for decision:

Relevance of evidence

1	Additional comments:

Result of appraisal

Included

Comments

Study only address sperm retrieval prior to cancer treatment, not its use in ART
There was no evidence of harm from the harvesting procedure

Completed by

Dr Jessica Harris

This appraisal has been completed.

Article

Berookhim BM, Mulhall JP. Outcomes of operative sperm retrieval strategies for fertility preservation among males scheduled to undergo cancer treatment. Fertil Steril 2014 Mar;101(3):805-11 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24424372.

Assigned to

User:Rita.upreti

Topic area

Guidelines:COSA:Cancer fertility preservation guidelines/Options for treatment

Clinical question

• In male cancer patients does the use of cryopreserved testicular tissue result in pregnancy and live birth? Is there any evidence of harm from the harvesting procedure?

Form

Form:Critical appraisal

Section below only relevant for Cancer Council Project Officer

Edit appraisal assignment