RESUMEN
Objective To discuss color Doppler uhrasonographic (CDU) grading of varicocele (VC) in predicting the changes of the fertility index (FI) after varicocelectomy.Methods One hundred and fifty-one patients with VC were diagnosed and graded by CDU.All patients were grouped by the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of pampiniform plexus veins(PPV).The relation between the regurgitant volume and the maximum diameter of PPV and the changes of the FI after varicocelectomy was analyzed.Results The pathological regurgitation could be detected when the PPV diameter > 1.5 mm.The positive correlation was observed between the regurgitant volume and the diameter of PPV (r = 0.89, P <0.01).The pre- and postoperative FIs were extremely significant difference in regurgitation grade Ⅱ and regurgitation grade Ⅲ (P < 0.01) but not significant difference in regurgitation grade Ⅰ (P>0.05).The pre- and postoperative FIs were no significant difference in the group with the PPV diameter ≤ 2.0 mm (P > 0.05), but statistically significant difference in the groups with the diameters 2.1-2.5 mm and 2.6-3.0 mm (0.01 < P <0.05).FIs in the group with the diameter > 3.0 mm exhibited extremely significant difference after varicocelectomy (P < 0.01).Conclusions CDU grading of VC could be used to predict the changes of seminal quality after varicocelectomy.Varicocelectomy isn't necessary to the patients with VC that the PPV diameter ≤ 2.0 mm or pathological regurgitation being detected only on Valsalva maneuver.