Varicoceles, enlarged scrotal veins, can be a source of male infertility, pain, and may even impair testosterone production. To learn more about varicoceles >
If your surgeon believes your are a candidate for microsurgical varicocele repair, here is what to expect:
A microsurgical varicocelectomy is performed under a high-powered operating microscope to achieve the highest success rates with the lowest side effect risks. There are two approaches to microsurgical varicocelectomy, inguinal or subinguinal. If the procedure is being performed for pain, the inguinal approach is often used to allow access to the ilio-inguinal nerve which can be cut to provide permanent pain relief. The incision site for inguinal is a little higher in the groin than subinguinal (anatomy art insert). Once the surgeon incises the skin, he or she dissects down to the spermatic cord where the abnormal veins are encountered. Each vein is meticulously dissected circumferentially and then tied off to disrupt flow and provide drainage of blood away from the testicle into the inner thigh and pelvis. Keys to a good operation are to interrupt every vein, leave every artery intact, leave the vas deferens intact and leave lymphatic drainage intact. If an artery is cut, damage to the testicle can occur. If the vas deferens is injured, sperm can be blocked. If lymphatics are cut, the scrotum can feel with fluid and require additional surgery to drain the fluid. The microsurgical approach has been statistically shown to reduce all of these risks.
The surgery lasts about 30 minutes per side so that a right and left varicocelectomy should take about 1 hour of operating time. This procedure is typically performed as outpatient. Recovery to full activity is usually between 2-3 weeks but most men are able to return to a sedentary job in 24-72 hours.
Board-certified urologists staff The Men’s Clinic at UCLA and you can be assured you are getting an experienced physician performing your evaluation and procedure in a relaxed and comfortable environment. For more information and to schedule an appointment, please call the UCLA Urology Appointment line at 310-794-7700.
