[Side effects, complications and contraindications for percutaneous sclerotherapy of the internal spermatic vein in the treatment of idiopathic varicocele].

The results of 230 retrograde phlebographies of the V. spermatica int., 165 percutaneous sclerotherapies and 60 follow-up phlebographies on subfertile patients are presented. In 24 patients (10%) complications occurred, yet in none of the cases clinical damage became evident. Percutaneous sclerotherapie is contraindicated, when selective probing of the V. spermatica int. is impossible or massive collaterals to other venous systems could lead to an uncontrolled spread of the sclerosing agent. Treatment of idiopathic varicocele in subfertile men by percutaneous sclerotherapy is a safe and effective method, which can be performed on an outpatient basis. In our opinion the so far used surgical treatment can be replaced by it as a method of choice.