ORIGINAL ARTICLE   

Chirurgia 2021 December;34(6):235-41

DOI: 10.23736/S0394-9508.20.05153-0

Copyright © 2020 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Transcatheter foam sclerotherapy in the management of male varicocele: a single-center experience

Mohamed I. AHMED ✉, Khalid A. ATTALA

Department of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt

BACKGROUND: Management of male varicocele is a matter of controversy about different methods of intervention. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of transcatheter foam sclerotherapy with no adjunctive coils in the treatment of male varicocele.
METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 75 males with 81 varicoceles (their ages range: 13-62 years with a mean: 30.1) who underwent transcatheter foam sclerotherapy with ethanolamine oleate 5% (range: 2-12 mL) and presented to our vascular outpatient clinic between October 2016 and September 2018. Patient’s interviews were conducted during follow-up period (mean: 6.5 months, SD: 5.3 months).
RESULTS: We achieved a technical success rate of 83.9%. The response rate was 100% to the patient interviews. Clinical success was reported by 86.6% and a relapse rate of 16%. During follow-up period, 86.6% of cases were absolutely satisfied after the procedure. Resolution of discomfort or pain was reported in 90.9% of patients. Of partners, pregnancy achievement rate was 62%. Phlebitis of the pampiniform plexus reported in one case and treated without long term consequence.
CONCLUSIONS: Management of varicocele in males by transcatheter ethanolamine oleate 5% foam injection appears to be an effective and relatively safe procedure with easily feasible procedure on outpatient basis after reported high clinical and technical success rates. Transcatheter sclerotherapy could provide high satisfactory symptomatic relief in patients who presented with varicocele and achieved considerable testicular catch-up growth and pregnancy achievement postprocedure.

KEY WORDS: Sclerotherapy; Varicocele; Retrospective studies