Percutaneous retrograde endovascular occlusion for pediatric varicocele

The aim of this study was to assess whether percutaneous retrograde endovascular occlusion (PREVO) is effective and safe for the treatment of varicocele in pediatric patients.

We retrospectively studied 71 children who underwent PREVO for left-sided varicocele. The primary outcome was the proportion of varicocele-free patients 6 months after PREVO as assessed by ultrasonography.

Seventy-one boys with left-sided grade III varicocele underwent PREVO at a mean age of 13.2 years. PREVO was performed under local anesthesia in all boys but 2, who required general anesthesia. The procedure was technically feasible in 68 (96%) patients. In the remaining 3 patients, the internal spermatic vein could not be catheterized. Minor short-term complications occurred in 6 patients and resolved fully. No major complications or deaths were recorded. The proportion of varicocele-free patients 6 months after PREVO was 93% (66/71) overall and 97% (66/68) in the patients whose PREVO procedure was feasible. No clinical recurrence was observed during the mean follow-up of 17.5 months.

Percutaneous retrograde endovascular occlusion is an effective minimally invasive approach for varicocele treatment in pediatric patients. It can be safely performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia.