Effect of subinguinal varicocelectomy on sperm parameters and pregnancy rate: a two-group study.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the changes in semen parameters and pregnancy rates after varicocelectomy.


METHODS
We evaluated the results of surgery in 146 men with primary infertility and palpable left varicoceles, compared with 62 men who refused surgery and were treated with tamoxiphene. Patients were selected with strict criteria in order to exclude any other infertility factor in the couple. They were followed up for at least 1 year after treatment. Statistical analyses were performed with the Wilcoxon signed rank test, Kolmogov-Smirnof two-sample test and paired samples t test.


RESULTS
After 1 year, the differences in the median values were significant for all parameters. The partners of 62 of the operated men (46.6%) and 8 of the nonoperated (12.9%) became pregnant within 1 year (p<0.001). Thus, the difference between the true 1-year pregnancy rates was 33.7%. Overall, 83.2% of the operated men improved their semen parameters compared to 32.3% of the nonoperated.


CONCLUSIONS
Varicocelectomy improves all semen parameters and pregnancy rates significantly. Palpable varicoceles should be operated upon when found in infertile couples.
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, GR-26500 Rio, Patras, Greece.
P
P
Perimenis
S
S
Markou
K
K
Gyftopoulos
A
A
Athanasopoulos
G
G
Barbalias
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*