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.