Effect of Microsurgical Bilateral Varicocelectomy on Patients with a Left Varicocele Diagnosed by Color Doppler Ultrasonography / 대한남성과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and to assess the effects of microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy on patients diagnosed with a left varicocele by CDU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 patients with varicocele were enrolled between March 2005 and May 2007. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group I-preoperative bilateral varicoceles were diagnosed by color CDU, and group II-only a left varicocele was diagnosed by CDU. All patients underwent an inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy bilaterally. Statistical analysis was performed by paired Student's t-test and one way ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 27.5+/-7.9 years. After surgery, semen parameters were significantly improved in sperm number in group I (p=0.002) and semen volume in group II (p<0.005). At the time of surgery, we found that 16 (88.9%) of 18 patients had bilateral varicoceles in group II. The accuracy of CDU to diagnose varicoceles was not perfect. CONCLUSIONS: The bilateral microsurgical varicocelectomy in patients with only a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU significantly increased their semen volume. Most (88.9%) patients diagnosed with a left varicocele actually had bilateral varicoceles. Therefore, microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy may be appropriate for infertile men with a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU.