Early varicocelectomy by percutaneous scleroembolization improves seminiferous tubules spermatozoa release in the adolescent phase of testicular growth

Varicocele is a rather common andrological condition in adolescents, which can ad‐versely affect testicular growth and seminal parameters, leading to infertility in about 20% of adults. The aim of this study was to investigate if treating varicocele before the age of 18 is a beneficial option to improve testicular hypotrophy and seminal pa‐rameters and if minimally invasive techniques could be an appropriate treatment choice for adolescent varicocele associated with spermatic vein reflux. A percutane‐ous scleroembolization was performed in sixty‐four consecutive young patients (13–19 years old) with left varicocele, preceded by a fluoroscopy. In thirty‐four of them, semen samples were also collected. We examined semen samples and testicles di‐mensions before and after percutaneous varicocelectomy, compared to a nonoper‐ated control group, with a six‐month follow‐up. Total sperm count and sperm morphology were significantly increased in the intervention group. Left testicular volume significantly increased in both groups, while only correction of varicocele improved spermatozoa release per unit of testis volume. We conclude that early vari‐cocelectomy by percutaneous scleroembolization significantly ameliorates seminif‐erous tubules activity in the critical adolescent phase of testicular growth. It is suggested that adolescents should be; offered varicocele repair as soon as possible in order to improve reproductive potential.