Microsurgical varicocele ligation: surgical methodology and associated outcomes

Rodrigo L Pagani; Samuel J Ohlander; Craig S Niederberger

doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.002

Microsurgical varicocele ligation: surgical methodology and associated outcomes

Fertil Steril. 2019 Mar;111(3):415-419. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.002.

Authors

Rodrigo L Pagani¹, Samuel J Ohlander², Craig S Niederberger¹

Affiliations

¹ University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois.
² University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois. Electronic address: samohlander@gmail.com.

PMID: 30827515
DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.01.002

Abstract

The impact of clinical varicoceles on semen parameters and male infertility has long been established. In the era of assisted reproduction, clinical discussion has questioned the role of varicocelectomy, offering the potential to bypass, rather than treat, varicocele-associated male infertility. However, current literature supports improved semen parameters and reproductive outcomes following repair. This article presents the stepwise operative approaches to microsurgical varicocelectomy and discusses the recent publications on outcomes.

Keywords: Varicocele; microsurgery; outcomes; varicocelectomy.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Fertility
Humans
Infertility, Male / diagnosis
Infertility, Male / etiology
Infertility, Male / physiopathology
Infertility, Male / surgery*
Ligation
Male
Microsurgery* / adverse effects
Risk Factors
Treatment Outcome
Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / adverse effects
Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / methods*
Varicocele / complications
Varicocele / diagnosis
Varicocele / physiopathology
Varicocele / surgery*