Financial analysis of antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for men with varicoceles.

OBJECTIVE

To calculate and compare the costs of the treatment of varicocele by antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy with other modalities.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 2305 operations using antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy to treat varicocele in childhood and adolescence were analysed for cost factors and compared with different surgical treatment methods for varicocele.

RESULTS

Calculation of the pre-, intra- and post-operative costs showed that antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy was the most economically effective of all forms of surgical management for varicocele.

CONCLUSIONS

Because antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a cost-effective treatment for varicocele, the indications for treatment may be widened to include more men with potential infertility, and thus avoid the need for expensive methods of artificial fertilization.