Therapeutic strategy after microsurgical varicocelectomy in the modern assisted reproductive technology era

In this study, we searched for prognostic factors at preoperative examination for the improvement in spermatogenesis of patients undergoing varicocelectomy. Eighty patients with varicocele testis underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Before surgery, the seminogram, testicular volume, varicocele grade, and serum FSH, LH, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol were evaluated. Postoperatively, semen analysis was performed every 3 months. We assessed the associations between the preoperative variables and postoperative seminogram improvement. 0f 80 patients, 37 showed improvement, usually by 6 months. Patient age, duration of sterility, testicular volume, sperm motility, morphology, semen volume, serum LH, testosterone, prolactin, and estradiol showed little difference between responders and non-responders. A small left testis, or a grade III varicocele decreased the likelihood of improvement. Patients with a sperm count of 10-20 x 10(6)/ml were significantly more likely to respond to varicocelectomy than those with sperm counts <5 x 10(6)/ml. Patients with elevated FSH were less likely to respond, as were those with a Johnsen score below 6. Varicocelectomy alone is unlikely to improve sperm counts of patients with a sperm count below 5 x 10(6)/ml, high FSH, small left testes, or Johnsen scores below 6. In conclusion, for couples in this situation, assisted reproductive technology coupled with varicocelectomy should be proposed.