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Sign of the fox
1Center for Male Reproductive Medicine and Microsurgery, Cornell Institute for Reproductive Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center, New York, New York 10065, USA. mgoldst@med.cornell.edu
Urology
|November 29, 2008
Summary
This study reports on a male patient with infertility due to poor semen quality and low testosterone, linked to varicoceles. Surgical repair of varicoceles was performed, with the "sign of the fox" noted post-operation.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Andrology
- Surgical Urology
Background:
- Infertility affects couples, with male factors contributing significantly.
- Varicoceles are a common cause of male infertility, impacting semen quality and testosterone levels.
- Microsurgical varicocelectomy is a standard surgical approach for treating varicoceles.
Observation:
- A 47-year-old male presented with a 2-year history of infertility.
- The patient exhibited poor semen parameters and low serum testosterone.
- Physical examination confirmed bilateral varicoceles (grade 3 left, grade 2 right).
Findings:
- The patient underwent successful bilateral subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy.
- The characteristic "sign of the fox" was observed in the surgical wounds prior to closure.
- This finding is a unique visual marker of the surgical repair process.
Implications:
- Microsurgical varicocelectomy can address male infertility associated with varicoceles.
- The "sign of the fox" provides a distinct visual endpoint for the surgical procedure.
- Further research may explore the long-term fertility outcomes post-microsurgical varicocelectomy.
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