COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF VARICOCELECTOMY ON THE SPERMIOGRAM OF PATIENTS WITH SUBCLINICAL VERSUS CLINICAL VARICOCELE

Abstract

Many studies with different results have been conducted regarding varicocelectomy in patients with subclinical varicocele and its effect on semen parameters. This clinical trial was aimed at assessing the effect of varicocelectomy on the spermiogram of patients with subclinical varicocele. A total of 142 patients with varicocele (79 clinical and 63 subclinical) took part in the study. Two spermiograms were taken from the patients, one before and the other 3 to 6 months after varicocelectomy. ‎Although the spermiogram results of the patients with subclinical varicocele did not show a significant change after operation, the spermiogram of the patients with clinical varicocele improved significantly (P < 0.05). In patients with subclinical varicocele, bilateral and right varicoceles were more prevalent compared to group with clinical varicocele (P < 0.05). In addition, incidence of secondary infertility in the patients with subclinical varicoceles was higher in comparison with the other group (P < 0.05). ‎Considering ineffectiveness of operation in patients with subclinical varicoceles and considerable clinical differences between these patients and patients with clinical varicocele, we recommend avoiding surgery in these patients unless no other causes of semen abnormality, such as hormonal abnormality, internal urogenital abnormality or immunological disorders can be found.