TREATMENTS

There are several different approaches one can employ in the treatment of varicoceles. The treatments include mass ligation or a micro-surgical approach to embolization. Due to the limited data available, it is difficult to determine the best approach. One needs to take into account failure rates, which are equally low for both; as low as 1% was reported for the micro-surgical approach[7] and 5.9% for embolization (208/221).[8] There is also a significant difference in the incidence of hydrocele with each technique; it is much higher in patients treated using the Palomo technique compared to embolization – 8.2% and 0%, respectively.

Varicocele emoblization is an approach we do through a pinhole in your skin. We are able to stop the blood flow that is causing the pain and infertility without doing surgery. Embolization is a means of stopping the blood flow using coils and possible chemicals to shrink the veins. It is an outpatient procedure that is done with mild sedation if needed.

Varicoceles are present in 15% of male adolescents, with a very strong left-sided predominance. [1] The evaluation of men presenting with subfertility reveals a varicocele as the etiology in one and three patients. The direct benefit of treating varicocele for subfertility is difficult to assess due to the lack of randomized controlled trials. Using the data available, there is an approximate 15% increase in fertility rates when compared to control groups.[5]