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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
05:00
Grade III Varicocele Surgical Treatment using Spermatic Vein-Superficial Abdominal Vein Shunt
Published on: August 23, 2024
Varicocelectomy Restores Spermatogenesis in Fontan-Associated Varicocele: A Two-Case Series
Yusuke Tominaga1, Tomoko Kobayashi1,2, Yuko Matsumoto1,3
1Department of Urology Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences Okayama Japan.
IJU Case Reports
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Surgical treatment for Fontan-associated varicocele (FAVC) may improve fertility in men with Fontan circulation. Microsurgical varicocelectomy showed positive outcomes in two patients, restoring sperm presence in one case.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Urology
- Reproductive Medicine
Background:
- Fontan circulation can lead to chronic venous hypertension, increasing the risk of varicocele and infertility.
- The effectiveness of surgical intervention for Fontan-associated varicocele (FAVC) is not well-established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present two cases of men with Fontan circulation who developed FAVC.
- To evaluate the outcomes of microsurgical varicocelectomy in patients with FAVC.
Main Methods:
- Two patients with Fontan circulation and symptomatic varicocele underwent bilateral microsurgical varicocelectomy.
- Perioperative heparin bridging was employed for both patients.
Main Results:
- Both patients experienced improvements in semen parameters post-surgery.
- One patient with azoospermia regained sperm presence, while the other with asthenozoospermia showed improvement.
Conclusions:
- Microsurgical varicocelectomy may be a viable option for selected patients with FAVC to potentially restore spermatogenesis.
- Increased risk of postoperative recurrence should be considered after varicocelectomy for FAVC.
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