Benefit of varicocele repair in subfertility queried
6 June 2003
Varicocele repair does not seem to be an effective treatment for subfertility, as it fails to improve chances of conception, a review shows.
(Subfertility is a less than 'normal' ability to reproduce. A varicocele is a mass of dilated veins in the testicle — similar to varicose veins of the leg — which has in the past been suspected of causing reduced fertility.)
Six randomised controlled trials found that surgical ligation, embolisation or sclerosation (surgical techniques that stop blood flow through affected blood vessels) of subclinical and clinical varicoceles did not improve pregnancy rates (Lancet 2003; 361: 1849-52).
Overall, 61 of 281 subfertile couples treated (22 per cent) and 50 of 259 couples not treated (19 per cent) conceived.
The paucity of evidence did not mean that varicocele repair had no benefit, but patients should be informed that there was not much evidence (of benefit), said Professor Mark Frydenberg, head of urology at Monash Medical Centre.
Last Reviewed: 06 June 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 6/6/03
