title: [Medical and surgical treatment of varicocele].
abstract: Varicocele is a dilation of the pampiniform venous plexus in the spermatic cord. It appears in 15% approximately of general population males. It is the most commonly identifiable, surgically treatable lesion associated with male infertility. The surgical treatment of varicocele, either unilateral or bilateral, has demonstrated a significant improvement in seminal parameters at least in two-thirds of affected males, and 30% to 60% pregnancy rates. There are many controversies about the indication of surgical treatment, more popular than percutaneous embolization, because several series have not demonstrated clear benefit; nevertheless, most authors support surgery, because its low morbidity, it is easy to perform, has a rapid adaptation process, and improves seminal parameters in most cases, or at least prevents their progressive impairment observed when surgery is not performed.
authors.affiliation: Unidad de Andrología, Servicio de Urología, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario Juan Canalejo, A Coruña, España. vchantada@canalejo.org
authors.forename: Venancio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chantoda Abal
authors.forename: Dolores
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rey Fraga
authors.forename: Marcelino
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González Martín
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D014646:Varicocele / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods