Varicocele: the value of reflux in the spermatic vein

Three groups of patients were studied: varicocele with altered spermogram (24 patients), varicocele with normal spermogram (12 patients), and 12 normal individuals. All underwent selective spermatic venography by the Seldinger technique. No statistically significant differences were found as to the presence of spermatic vein reflux in three groups, nor between varicocele patients and controls. It was concluded that reflux per se cannot explain the alterations of spermatogenesis, nor does it have prognostic value in varicocele.