Why should I be concerned about varicocele?

  Varicocele is a common disease in men. The prevalence is about 15% in the normal general population and about 35% in the infertile population. It is a vascular disease characterized by varying degrees of dilatation and tortuosity of the trapezius plexus in the spermatic cord. It can be classified as primary or secondary by etiology. The primary cause may be due to increased intravascular pressure, the left spermatic vein travels long and converges at right angles to the left renal vein, superior mesenteric artery and aorta to compress the left renal vein, which affects the return flow of the left internal spermatic vein, i.e. the “Nutcracker” phenomenon (NCS), weak connective tissue around the internal spermatic vein and venous valve dysfunction and incomplete closure. The anatomical factors or dysplasia such as abnormal tissue structure of the spermatic vein wall, anatomical variation of the spermatic vein, and underdevelopment of the levator ani muscle may cause this phenomenon. Secondary causes may include: intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal tumors, hydronephrosis, ectopic vascular compression of the superior spermatic vein, etc. Animal studies and clinical studies have shown that varicocele causes progressive testicular function decline and secondary infertility in 75% to 85% of patients with varicocele. Spermatic vein ligation is the current curative method for this disease. Spermatic vein ligation improves semen quality in 60% to 80% of patients, with postoperative conception rates of 20% to 60%, and also increases serum testosterone levels in patients with infertility with decreased serum testosterone (Su et al, 1995). In a randomized study of two groups of patients with varicocele, the conception rate after one year was 44% in the operated group; compared to 10% in the non-operated group (Madgar et al,1995). The semen quality improved significantly after surgery for severe varicocele, but the conception rate was not significantly different from that after surgery for mild varicocele. Some data suggest that the earlier the surgery, the better the results and that it reduces further damage to testicular function from varicocele.