Transurethral resection of the ejaculatory ducts (TURED) is an endoscopic procedure that relieves blockage of the ejaculatory ducts, the narrow channels carrying sperm and seminal vesicle fluid into the urethra. Its aim is to restore the passage of sperm into the semen and improve the chance of conception.
It is performed under general or spinal anaesthesia. A thin scope is passed through the urethra to the prostate, with no external incision, and a fine electrical instrument removes a small amount of the tissue or cyst causing the blockage until the duct openings are clear; a dye may be used to confirm they are open.
The operation usually takes less than an hour, and a urinary catheter may stay in for one or two days before discharge. Exertion and intercourse are avoided briefly as advised, and some blood in the urine or semen may be seen at first. The final result is clear when semen volume and sperm count improve on tests over the following months.
The final cost is set after a medical consultant reviews your case and photos.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zülfü Sertkaya is an Istanbul urologist who focuses on andrology. He graduated from Gazi University Faculty of Medicine in 2008, completed his urology residency at Haydarpaşa Numune Training and Research Hospital in 2014, and holds the FEBU title (2017). He worked at state, university and private hospitals, including Memorial Diyarbakır and Başakşehir Çam and Sakura City Hospital. Since 2022 he has run his own clinic in Zeytinburnu, focusing on penile prosthesis, Peyronie's disease, premature ejaculation and male infertility.
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It treats a specific cause of infertility without an external incision and may return sperm to the semen, allowing natural conception or improving assisted-reproduction options.
Men with very low semen volume and absent or low sperm, where transrectal ultrasound shows dilatation or a cyst indicating ejaculatory duct obstruction.
Semen, hormone and urine tests, transrectal ultrasound and an anaesthetic assessment are done. Never stop any medicine, such as blood thinners, on your own; the doctor decides.
A scope is passed through the urethra and the obstructing tissue at the duct openings is removed with fine electrical resection, taking care to protect the sphincter and rectum.
Anaesthesia prevents pain during surgery; afterwards there may be burning on urination or catheter discomfort that settles within days.
The catheter is usually removed after one or two days; drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding strenuous effort for about two weeks are advised, with a gradual return to normal activity.
Semen analysis is repeated after a few weeks and then periodically; volume may improve early, while sperm count sometimes takes longer.
Bleeding, epididymitis or urinary infection, retrograde ejaculation, reflux of urine into the ducts or recurrence of the blockage from scarring can occur. No result can be guaranteed.
It does not target the nerves for erection and rarely affects bladder control, but ejaculation may change in some men; the doctor discusses this beforehand.
A stay of about five to seven days is usually advised, until the catheter is out and urination is normal; your doctor confirms when travel is safe.
