[VARICOCELECTOMY IN ADOLESCENTS: WHO AND WHEN TO OPERATE]

In studying the problem of varicocele in children and adolescents, there was a consistency of objectives chosen by researchers both today and half a century ago. Nearly all researchers start with phrases about the absence of reliable evidence of a direct negative impact of varicocele on male reproductive function, but yet they express confidence in the need for prophylactic varicocelectomy in children and adolescents in some cases. This demonstrates the necessity of prognostic indicators that could be used for selection of adolescents requiring surgery in circumstances of the limited feasibility of investigating the reproductive function.