Evolving management of adolescent varicocele

Abstract Objective To review the evolution in indications for treatment and treatment modalities for adolescent varicocele at our centre, and evaluate the impact of varicocelectomy on final outcome. Patients and methods Between 1995 and 2006, we treated 242 left varicoceles. Preoperative assessment included clinical evaluation, measurement of testicular volumes, and colour-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS). A subinguinal varicocelectomy was performed in 124 patients (group A), and a laparoscopic non-artery-sparing Palomo procedure in the remaining 118 (group B). In group B patients, CDUS was also used to investigate the functional anatomy of varicocele, and all the veins found to be refluxing were …