RESULTS OF A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF 150 PATIENTS WITH VARICOCELE REPAIR

Testicular varicocele is the most common cause of treatable male infertility. The therapeutic success of surgical and nonsurgical varicocele repair has been under controversial discussion. The results of 150 patients who underwent varicocele repair between 1990 and 1992 were evaluated with regard to the preoperative indication: sub-/infertility, scrotal pain or discomfort and testicular atrophy. Two methods, the Bernardi operation (15 pts.) and the percutaneous retrograde sclerotherapy (135 pts.) were compaired including therapeutical results and expenditure. OAT-syndrome (50%) represents the most common indication for treatment, followed by pain or discomfort (34%) and testicular atrophy (26%). Improvement in sperm quality could be achieved in 64%. Pregnancy was achieved in 8 cases. Freedom of pain was achieved in 60% of the surgically and nonsurgically treated patients. Persistence of varicocele occurred in 30% of the operated patients and 9% of those patients who had received sclerotherapy. In 19% of the patients sclerotherapy was not feasible.