Effect of varicocelectomy on the plasma oxidative stress parameters

Aim of Study: This study evaluates the long-term effect of varicocelectomy as measured by plasma oxidative stress parameters. Methods: Eleven children aged 10 to 16 years presented with left-sided varicocele and ipsilateral testicular hypoplasia. Peripheral blood samples for C-reactive protein, basal thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and plasma peroxidation susceptibility (lag time and slope) were obtained preoperatively and at 1 year after the varicocelectomy. All patients underwent inguinal microvascular varicocclectomy with testicular-inferior epigastric (spermatic-epigastric) venous shunt, and a blood sample from the pampinous plexus was taken. Student's I test for Unpaired and paired data was used with a level of significance set at P <.05. Results: When compared with controls, the cohort preoperative basal TBARS (mean, 2.07 nmol/mL; SD, 0.56 nmol/mL.) were higher (P =.009), and plasma peroxidation Susceptibility lag time (mean, 132.92 minutes; SD, 32.8 minutes) was lower (P =.0002). Blood samples from the pampiniform plexus showed similar results. Peroxidative plasma levels were significantly reduced on peripheral venous specimens taken 1 year after varicocclectomy with mean (SD) TBARS of 1.53 (0.41) nmol/mL (P =.0003) and mean (SD) lag time of 183.7 (17.46) minutes (P =.0025). The slope did not show significant changes compared with controls, or before and after Surgery. Conclusion: Peroxidative plasma levels were significantly reduced I year after Surgery, indicating that surgical varicocelectomy with construction of venous shunt reduces oxidative stress.