[Varicocele: the effects of sclerotherapy on hemodynamics and spermatogenesis]

Between January 1984 and July 1988, percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy of varicocele was successfully performed on 267 patients. A 5% solution of sodium morrhuate and benzylic alcohol (Varicocid) was administered through a coaxial balloon catheter inserted into the spermatic vein. Nine of the patients had relapses after surgery. Long-term follow up was available for 248 patients. Three of them had incomplete relapses after sclerotherapy. In terms of spermatologic improvement, sclerotherapy appeared to be effective in the treatment of varicoceles. In our experience, sclerotherapy is a safe and effective procedure to be preferred to surgery in the management of varicocele.