https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.12128
The effect untreated right subclinical varicocele on the outcomes of contralateral left clinical varicocelectomy in infertile patients
Submitted: November 24, 2023
Accepted: December 5, 2023
Published: January 2, 2024
Accepted: December 5, 2023
Abstract Views: 346
PDF: 225
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Purpose: The management of infertile patients with unilateral subclinical varicocele (SCV) and contralateral clinical varicocele (CV) remains controversial. We aimed to evaluate the effect of untreating SCV on the outcome of contralateral clinical varicocelectomy in infertile patients with oligoasthenozoospermia (OA). Materials and methods: Infertile patients with the diagnosis of OA who underwent left varicocelectomy were retrospectively evaluated. While all patients in the study had left clinical varicocele (LCV), some patients had concomitant right SCV. Patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of a right SCV accompanying LCV as group 1; (LCV n = 104) or group 2; (LCV with right SCV, n = 74). Patients were evaluated with spermiogram parameters, pregnancy rates and serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, total testosterone at the first year of the follow-up. Results: The mean sperm concentration increased significantly in both groups. However, group 1 showed significantly greater improvement than group 2. The ratio of progressive motile sperm in group 1 was increased significantly whereas no significant change was shown in group 2. Both the spontaneous pregnancy rate and the pregnancy rate with ART were statistically lower in the group of patients with right SCV. No statistically significant difference was detected in serum hormone levels in both groups after varicocelectomy operations. Conclusions: Untreated right SCV may have adverse impact on the outcomes of left clinical varicocelectomy. In this context, the right testis can be considered in terms of treatment in patients with right SCV accompanying left CV.
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How to Cite
Yılmaz, S., Topcuoğlu, M., Çakan, M., Akkoç, A., & Uçar, M. (2024). The effect untreated right subclinical varicocele on the outcomes of contralateral left clinical varicocelectomy in infertile patients. Archivio Italiano Di Urologia E Andrologia, 95(4). https://doi.org/10.4081/aiua.2023.12128
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