[Retrograde venography and embolization in postoperative recurrence of varicocele]

Percutaneous retrograde venography was performed in 10 patients with recurrent varicocele after surgical ligation (the Ivanissevich operation) of the spermatic vein. Combined scleroembolization with Thrombovar plus steel coils was performed in 8 patients. In two other patients either sclerotherapy or embolization only was made depending on their anatomical peculiarities. No recurrences were seen during 6-60 months of follow-up in 9 patients in whom the occlusion of all venous feeders was technically successful. It was concluded that embolization was a minimally invasive and effective procedure and hence the transcatheter treatment should be considered a method of choice for post-surgical recurrent varicocele.