PURPOSE: We assessed whether subclinical varicocele ligation improves fertility and/or semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients with a subclinical varicocele diagnosed by scrotal thermography presented with infertility. Patients were randomly assigned to groups 1 (high ligation of the internal spermatic vein) and 2 (followed without any treatment). At least 3 semen samples were obtained at study entry and 1 year later in both groups. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate in group 1 was 6.7% compared to 10% in group 2, and the difference was not statistically significant. Group 1 had significantly higher levels of sperm density and total motile sperm count at 1 year. There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 regarding change in seminal volume, sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical varicocelectomy has some effect on spermatogenesis but no beneficial effect on pregnancy rate.
RCT Entities:
PURPOSE: We assessed whether subclinical varicocele ligation improves fertility and/or semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 85 patients with a subclinical varicocele diagnosed by scrotal thermography presented with infertility. Patients were randomly assigned to groups 1 (high ligation of the internal spermatic vein) and 2 (followed without any treatment). At least 3 semen samples were obtained at study entry and 1 year later in both groups. RESULTS: The pregnancy rate in group 1 was 6.7% compared to 10% in group 2, and the difference was not statistically significant. Group 1 had significantly higher levels of sperm density and total motile sperm count at 1 year. There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2 regarding change in seminal volume, sperm motility and abnormal sperm morphology. CONCLUSIONS: Subclinical varicocelectomy has some effect on spermatogenesis but no beneficial effect on pregnancy rate.
Authors: Matthew A Will; Jason Swain; Mikkel Fode; Jens Sonksen; Gregory M Christman; Dana Ohl Journal: Fertil Steril Date: 2011-01-26 Impact factor: 7.329
Authors: Taylor P Kohn; Samuel J Ohlander; Jake S Jacob; Tina M Griffin; Larry I Lipshultz; Alexander W Pastuszak Journal: Curr Urol Rep Date: 2018-05-17 Impact factor: 3.092
Authors: Marziyeh Tavalaee; Homayon Abbasi; Mohammad Reza Deemeh; Farinaz Fotohi; Mohammad Ali Sadoughi Gilani; Mohammad Hossein Nasr Esfahani Journal: Int J Fertil Steril Date: 2012-12-17