Varicocele in adolescents: ultrastructural aspects

Twenty-four boys age 11-17 with moderate to large sized varicocele were studied. The duration of varicocele ranged from 11 to 20 months prior to surgery. Histological and ultrastructural studies of testicular specimens demonstrated bilateral abnormalities and the detrimental effect of varicocele on the future fertility of these young patients. These findings strongly support the necessity of an early surgical treatment of varicocele.