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. 1994 Mar-Apr;5(2):315-9.
doi: 10.1016/s1051-0443(94)71492-5.

Percutaneous varicocele occlusion: long-term follow-up

A M Zuckerman  1 , S E Mitchell, A C Venbrux, S O Trerotola, S J Savader, G B Lund, R I White Jr, F A Osterman Jr
Affiliations

Percutaneous varicocele occlusion: long-term follow-up

A M Zuckerman et al. J Vasc Interv Radiol. 1994 Mar-Apr.

Abstract

Purpose: The authors summarize their 11-year experience with percutaneous varicocele occlusion at the Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Patients and methods: Data were obtained from the patients' medical records and from a mailed questionnaire. Most of the data analysis is based on the 182 patients who responded to the questionnaire.

Results: Most of the occlusions were performed for infertility. The mean length of time couples had been attempting to conceive was approximately 44 months. Occlusion was technically successful in 95.7% of cases. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 59 months. Success is difficult to define because many patients and/or their wives received additional infertility treatment. Fifty-seven percent of all couples and 60% of a subgroup of couples who received no other treatment eventually conceived.

Conclusion: Percutaneous occlusion is a well-established treatment for varicoceles. Pregnancy rates and recurrence rates are comparable to those following surgical varicocelectomy. It is unlikely that resultant pregnancies occur from random chance alone.

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