Balloon occlusion of the internal spermatic vein for the treatment of varicoceles.
Varicocele is one of the most common causes of male infertility. We have developed a technique for the treatment of this disorder in which occlusion of the internal spermatic vein is accomplished percutaneously using a detachable balloon. Twenty-one varicocceles in 20 patients have been treated successfully without complication. This procedure can be performed easily, without general anesthesia or surgical incision, on an outpatient basis.
D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D010690:Phlebography; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply; D014646:Varicocele / Q000628:therapy*; D014680:Veins