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[Varicocele: treatment via percutaneous approach]
J Mostin1, P Mathurin, P Goffette
1Service d'Urologie, Cliniques Universitaires St.-Luc Bruxelles.
Acta Urologica Belgica
|September 1, 1994
Summary
Percutaneous embolization offers a low-morbidity treatment for varicocele, a condition causing testicular growth disorders and infertility. This minimally invasive procedure successfully treated 70% of patients, with options for repeat or surgical intervention if needed.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Vascular Surgery
- Reproductive Medicine
Context:
- Varicocele, a common cause of male hypofertility, is a benign pathology affecting testicular growth.
- Minimally invasive treatments are increasingly sought for varicocele to improve outcomes and reduce complications.
Purpose:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous embolization for varicocele treatment.
- To assess the long-term outcomes, including cure rates and recurrence, of embolization in a large patient cohort.
Summary:
- A retrospective analysis of 243 patients treated with percutaneous embolization for varicocele between 1985 and 1993 was conducted.
- In 150 patients with at least one year of follow-up, 70% achieved a cure, while 15% required repeat surgical treatment.
- Technical challenges, such as vascular anomalies or venous spasm, precluded embolization in 8% of cases, with low associated morbidity.
Impact:
- Percutaneous embolization presents a viable, low-morbidity option for varicocele management, offering a high success rate.
- The procedure's success rate and low complication profile support its consideration as a primary treatment for varicocele-induced hypofertility.
- Embolization does not preclude subsequent surgical intervention in cases of recurrence or technical failure, preserving treatment flexibility.