Male Infertility Secondary to Varicocele - A study of 75 Saudi patients

Varicocele is a common condition worldwide but it is more prevalent in K.S.A. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of varicocelectomy on the fertility profile of affected men. A total of 75 men aged 12 – 70 years were diagnosed with varicocele during a period from July 2005 to September 2008. This included 67 Saudi and 8 non – Saudi patients. Sixty eight (90.66%) patients were adults while 7 (9.33%) were unmarried adolescent boys with 3 rd degree varicocele presenting with scrotal pain and swelling. Fifty nine (86.76%) patients had infertility.Fifty three (89.83%) patients had reduced testicular volume and poor semen quality at presentation. All patients underwent sub inguinal open varicocelectomy. Restored testicular volume and improved semen quality were achieved within 1 year of follow – up in 49(92.45%) patients. Spouses of 35 (59.3%) patients achieved pregnancy during the period of follow – up after varicocelectomy while spouse of 24 (40.67%) patients did not conceive. No major complication was recorded after operation. It is recommended that where there are no facilities for microscopic varicocelectomy and embolization, open varicocelectomy is a safe, effective and simple technique to offer.