[Late results following sclerotherapy of varicocele]

Between May 1981 and December 1982 244 patients with varicocele were scheduled for percutaneous sclerotherapy which is performed as an out-patient procedure. In around 80% of the patients sclerotherapy was possible. Failures were due to anatomical and technical factors. Three months after treatment a persisting varicocele was observed in 3.3% as evidenced by control phlebography; 3.9% of our patients developed a painful induration of the plexus pampiniformis which necessitated a 3-day hospitalization. Six months after sclerotherapy spermiography was repeated and compared to the pretreatment results: in 50% of the patients the sperm density was significantly improved, however, sperm morphology and mobility remained virtually unchanged. The sclerotherapy of varicoceles can be recommended as an alternative procedure to surgery. The effect on sperm quality of both therapies is equal, but the sclerotherapy is performed as an outpatient procedure (sick-leave 2 days), is cheaper, better tolerated and has a lower rate of persisting varicoceles than surgical repair.