The role of spermatic venography after surgical high ligation of the left spermatic veins: diagnosis and percutaneous occlusion.

Bilateral spermatic venography was performed in 40 patients who had previously undergone surgical high ligation of the left spermatic vein. Indications included recurrent or persistent varicocele or oligoteratospermia syndrome. Despite the prior surgery, 21 patients had venographic demonstration of a left-sided varicocele. Right-sided varicocele was demonstrated in 19 patients, 9 of whom also had left varicoceles. Only 9 patients did not have a varicocele demonstrated on either side. The various mechanisms of varicocele filling are discussed. Whenever a varicocele was demonstrated, immediate occlusion using steel coils was performed.