Out-patient sclerotherapy of idiopathic left-sided varicocele in children and adults.

Between 1983 and 1989, 334 patients with idiopathic left-sided varicocele were referred for transfemoral sclerotherapy; 323 were adults and 11 were children. The standard site of injection of the sclerosing solution (Varicocid-Natriummorrhuat 55 mg, Benzylalkohol 20 mg) was the mid-portion of the spermatic vein. The upper third was injected only in cases where the catheter could not be negotiated further (e.g. abnormalities in the course of the spermatic vein or its drainage into the intrarenal veins). The amount of sclerosing material was predetermined fluoroscopically using contrast material. Occasionally, in cases of high catheter positioning, the Varicocid was injected fractionally. The amount injected was always between 1 and 3 ml. Of 80 patients studied 1 year later, varicoceles were still present in 3 (4%). The best results were achieved in patients with small varicoceles (Grade I), normal testicular volume and normal FSH levels; 29% showed an improvement in sperm count and 27% an increase in sperm motility, while sperm morphology improved in only 7%. The conception rate was 11%.