Recurrence of varicocele after high retroperitoneal repair: implications of intraoperative venography.
OBJECTIVE
We determined whether intraoperative venography results in a decreased recurrence rate after varicocele repair in adolescence.


METHODS
We evaluated 177 male adolescents 14 to 19 years old who underwent varicocele repair via the high retroperitoneal approach with artery sparing and intraoperative venography.


RESULTS
Overall the recurrence rate was 2.8% (5 of 177 cases) in the venography group and 11% in historical controls without venography. We identified left-to-right cross communicating vessels in 3 patients with recurrence. Intraoperatively venography revealed nonligated vessels in 21 patients (12%), resulting in revision and repair during the same procedure.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative venography seems to decrease the rate of recurrence. Left-to-right cross communicating vessels may be present in some adolescents with recurrence after varicocelectomy.
Niedzielski
J
J
Division of Urology and Renal Transplantation, OHSU, Portland, Oregon, USA.
Paduch
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence; D014646:Varicocele / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*