IDIOPATHIC VARICOCELE

REPORT 2: Fertility After High Ligation

Abstract

High ligation of the left internal spermatic vein was performed for seventeen cases of varicocele with disturbance of spermatogenesis. Following varicocelectomy, six became pregnant and eleven remained infertile. In the infertile cases, six represented improvement in count of sperm and five represent no improvement. Each case was studies preoperatively on grade of varicocele, on volume of both testes, on count of sperm, on histology of both testis on Johnsen's score count, on plasma testosterone on HCG (10, 000 i. u/M²) and on plasma LH and FSH on LH-RH (100μg/M²). Four cases were studied postoperatively on plasma testosterone on HCG (10, 000 i. u/M²) and on plasma LH and FSH on LH-RH (100μg/M²). Cases with moderate grade, normal volume in right testis, high score count, not elevated plasma LH and FSH fared better prognosis in fertility than those with high grade, decreased volume in both testes, low score count, elevated plasma LH and FSH. For plasma testosterone on HCG, no correlation was found in prognosis of fertility. In plasma testosterone on HCG and LH and FSH on LH-RH studied postoperatively, no remarkable changes were found, in comparison with those studied preoperatively.