Effects of Varicocele Treatment on Sperm Conventional Parameters: Surgical Varicocelectomy Versus Sclerotherapy

Journal Article · Fri Mar 15 04:00:00 EDT 2019 · Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/S00270-018-2136-4· OSTI ID:22953124

Mammino, Luca ^[1]; Compagnone, Michele; Condorelli, Rosita Angela ^[2]; Basile, Antonio ^[1]; Alamo, Angela; Vignera, Sandro La ^[2]; Morgia, Giuseppe; Russo, Giorgio Ivan ^[3]; Calogero, Aldo Eugenio ^[2]

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1. University of Catania, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia” (Italy)
2. University of Catania, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine (Italy)
3. University of Catania, Department of Surgery, Urology Section (Italy)

Introduction: Varicocele is often associated with impaired sperm parameters. Different procedures have been developed for varicocele treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of varicocele treatment on conventional sperm parameters. Materials and Methods: We compared two different techniques of intervention: surgical varicocelectomy and sclerotherapy. We also evaluated the number of varicocele recurrences and the pregnancy rate. We included 102 patients (mean age 29.8 ± 0.8 years) with ultrasound diagnosis of varicocele. We excluded patients whose ultrasound evaluation and/or sperm parameters were not known before and after varicocele correction. We divided the patients (excluding 8 with azoospermia) into two subgroups: surgical varicocelectomy (n = 44) and sclerotherapy (n = 50). For each patient, we compared conventional sperm parameters before and after varicocele correction. Results: After varicocele correction, we found a significant improvement in sperm concentration, total count and total motility. Considering the two subgroups, baseline sperm parameters did not differ significantly. Sperm concentration and total count increased significantly after varicocele correction by varicocelectomy. Varicocele correction by sclerotherapy resulted in a significant increase in sperm concentration, progressive and total motility. We found varicocele recurrence in 32% of patients who underwent varicocelectomy and in 19.7% of patients undergoing sclerotherapy. The pregnancy rate was higher after sclerotherapy (28%) than after surgical varicocelectomy (13%). Conclusion: Varicocele treatment must be recommended when other causes of infertility have been treated. Our results suggest the use of sclerotherapy for varicocele repair. Level of Evidence: 2 b.

• OSTI ID: 22953124
• Journal Information: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology, Journal Name: Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 42; ISSN 0174-1551; ISSN CAIRDG
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
COMPUTERIZED TOMOGRAPHY
FERTILITY
MEN
MULTIVARIATE ANALYSIS
PATIENTS
PREGNANCY
SPERMATOZOA
SURGERY
TESTES
ULTRASONOGRAPHY