Results of ligation of internal spermatic vein in the treatment of infertility in azoospermic patients.

Ten azoospermic men treated by ligation of the internal spermatic vein are reported. Treatment of two of the ten resulted in pregnancies. The advisability of thorough evaluation of the azoospermic patient is well demonstrated by the finding of one patient with Klinefelter's syndrome. In our judgement, based on this small series, azoospermia should not be considered a contraindication to surgery. Complete evaluation of the azoospermia is essential. Indeed, the varicoceles seen in patients 9 and 10 were an incidental finding and in all likelihood played no role in the azoospermia.