Clinical versus subclinical varicocele: improvement in fertility after varicocelectomy

To assess the fertility after varicocelectomy in men with subclinical varicocele.

We define subclinical varicocele as the varicocele detected by Doppler examination of the scrotum, in which no varicocele was found on clinical examination. Varicocelectomy was performed on subclinical varicocele, and fertility was assessed.

We reviewed the records of 54 men who underwent unilateral varicocelectomy at the Department of Urology, Wayne State University, between 1986 and 1987.

Records of 54 men were analyzed. Thirty-eight (70%) of the varicocele were diagnosed clinically (confirmed by Doppler examination) in group 1. In 16 (30%) men, the varicocele was diagnosed by Doppler examination only, with no varicocele detectable clinically, subclinical varicocele (group 2).

Spermiograms improved in 76% of the patients in group 1 and in 81% of the patients in group 2. Fertility was assessed after 2 years of varicocelectomy. Eighteen (47%) of 38 patients in group 1 and 8 (50%) of 16 men in group 2 managed to impregnate their partners. Statistical analysis by chi 2 shows similar improvement in fertility potential between the two groups (P = 0.86). Multivariate repeated measure analysis showed significant improvement in sperm density (P = 0.0006) and sperm morphology (P = 0.0016) after varicocelectomy.

These data suggest that varicocelectomy, in infertile men with subclinical varicocele, leads to fertility in 50% of the patient population as compared with 47% in clinical varicocele group. We suggest that the use of sophisticated, noninvasive techniques such as Doppler may have a place in the management of male infertility to detect subclinical varicocele.