Reversal of testicular growth failure by varicocele ligation.
A total of 20 male patients 11 to 19 years old had a grade 2 or 3 varicocele and volume loss of the testis ipsilateral to the varicocele. None of these patients presented because of subfertility. Following varicocele ligation a significant increase in volume of the testis ipsilateral to the varicocele was observed in 16 of 20 patients. All 20 patients have been followed for 1 to 6 years. Our results suggest that a moderate to large varicocele can be responsible for testicular growth retardation and that early ligation of the varicocele may reverse this process.
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013737:Testis / Q000254:growth & development*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*