Incidence and clinical significance of arterial injury in varicocele repair.
OBJECTIVE
• This study was performed to histologically determine the rate of arterial injury in varicocele ligation surgery and to determine the clinical significance of these arterial injuries.


METHODS
• 41 men who underwent varicocele ligation surgery, and had segments of each ligated vessel examined histologically. • The patients were followed prospectively to determine the effect of arterial injury on surgical results and clinical complications.


RESULTS
• Arterial ligation was identified in 6 of 41 patients (12%), and in 7 of 132 specimens (5%), which is higher than previous reports. • Arterial injury was not associated with testicular atrophy and there was no apparent effect of arterial injury on surgical outcome.


CONCLUSIONS
• The rate of arterial injury during varicocele repair is higher than previously reported, but the clinical significance of these injuries appears to be limited.
Cuda
Scott P
SP
Tripler Army Medical Center, Urology Section, Honolulu, HI 96859-5000, USA.
Musser
John E
JE
Belnap
Christina M
CM
Thibault
Gregory P
GP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001158:Arteries / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013085:Spermatic Cord / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000473:pathology; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult