Varicocele Is No Longer Required open surgery
If you have been diagnosed with a varicocele, you have more treatment options than you may have been told about. A revolutionary newer procedure called varicocele embolization is a non-surgical alternative to painful varicocele surgery.
What Is a Varicocele?
A varicocele is a condition where the veins in the scrotum become enlarged and swollen. It occurs when the valves in the veins of the spermatic cord don't work properly, causing blood to pool in the scrotum.
Varicocele Symptoms
Typical varicocele symptoms are mild and many do not require treatment. Treatment may be necessary if the varicocele is causing discomfort or any of the other problems listed below.
Diagnosis :-
Varicocele Treatment Options
In INDIA and other parts of the world, varicocele treatment has traditionally involved open surgery, usually performed by a urologic surgeon, or general surgeon. In recent years, however, a safe and effective nonsurgical alternative called varicocele embolization is becoming the treatment of choice for many patients and their physicians.
1. Non-Surgical Treatment - Varicocele Embolization
Varicocele embolization is done by specifically trained interventional radiologist makes a tiny nick in the skin at the groin or neck using local anaesthesia and a thin catheter is passed and directed to the testicular vein. With contrast dye injection, interventional radiologist map out exactly where the problem is and by using coils, by embolization, blood flow is re-directed to other healthy pathways. Whole non-surgical treatment procedure is pain less and takes about 30 minutes. The tube is removed and no stitches are needed. Patients are observed for a few hours and go home the same day. Recovery from varicocele embolization typically takes less than 24 hours and patients often return to work the next day.
Advantages of Varicocele Embolization
The majority of men in INDIA undergo surgery as varicocele treatment. This is because they are usually sent to surgeons for evaluation, and many do not know about varicocele embolization.
Watch Video :-
2. Varicocele Surgical Treatment
Varicocele Surgery is usually performed under general anaesthesia. In this surgeon makes an incision above the scrotum (or higher in the flank area) and cuts through the layers of tissue to expose the veins.
The affected veins are ligated, or tied off, to detour the flow of blood into normal veins. Sometimes a laparoscope is used to perform the surgery. Recovery time depends on the type of surgery.
Non-surgical vs. surgical treatment
| Frequently Asked Questions | Embolization | Surgical Treatment |
|---|---|---|
| Does the procedure need anaesthesia? | No, Local anaesthesia only | Need, General anaesthesia |
| How long do I stay in hospital? | 4-6 hrs stay required | Require an overnight stay |
| When can I return to normal work? | Within 24 hrs | 2-3 Weeks |
| Is there pain after the procedure? | No | Yes, but managed with Tab / injection analgesia |
| Will it cause sexual dysfunction? | No | No |
| Is there any scarring? | No | Yes - depending on surgical technique. |
| Improving male infertility? | 83% | 63% |
| Is there any recurrence? | 0-2% | 50-60% |
Dr. Pradeep Muley M.D.
Senior Consultant Interventional Radiologist
Fortis, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, India
Date of Birth : September 27, 1963
Nationality : Indian
Contact : +91-9810492778
Email : muleypradeep@hotmail.com