Long-term effect of varicocele repair on intratesticular arterial resistance index.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the long-term effect of varicocele repair on ipsilateral intratesticular arterial resistance index (RI) using color Doppler sonography (CDS).


METHODS
A total of 26 infertile patients with left varicocele who underwent a testicular artery and lymphatic-sparing subinguinal varicocelectomy were examined with CDS for intratesticular flow parameters before and at least 6 months after surgery. We also evaluated preoperative and postoperative semen parameters.


RESULTS
The mean values of RI, end-diastolic velocity and pulsatility index decreased significantly after surgery, whereas no significant change was observed in peak systolic velocity. Repair of the varicocele resulted in a statistically significant increase in the total sperm count, motility, morphology, and total motile sperm count. However, no significant correlation was found between sperm parameters and RI values (p > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that a significant improvement occurs in testicular blood supply and sperm parameters after surgical varicocele repair, without significant correlation between these 2 changes.
Balci
Ali
A
Department of Radiology, Mustafa Kemal University, Faculty of Medicine, Bağriyanik Mh. Uğur Mumcu Cad., 31100 Antakya, Hatay, Turkey.
Karazincir
Sinem
S
Gorur
Sadik
S
Sumbas
Haldun
H
Egilmez
Ertugrul
E
Inandi
Tacettin
T
D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D013076:Sperm Count; D013081:Sperm Motility; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013995:Time; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; D014646:Varicocele / Q000601:surgery*; D014655:Vascular Resistance