a review of 427 cases of varicocele

427 patients with varicocele ranging in age from 14 to more than 35 years underwent surgical operation during a 10 year period (1977-1986). 190 (44.5%) were referred for infertility and 365 had left-sided varicoceles (85.5%). no relationship was found between infertility and the grade of varicocele. clinical features of prostatitis were often present. semen analyses were performed in 37% of patients and showed abnormalities in motility, morphology, and density. hormone analyses (in 26 cases) showed elevated fsh, normal lh, and decreased testosterone levels. complications of high ligation occurred as recurrence of varicocele in 10% , and edema of the scrotum in 12 %. in the 32 patients presenting with infertility who were followed-up, there was an improvement in sperm density in 81 %, and a fertility rate of 37.8 %