Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between preoperative grade and postoperative changes of semen parameters following left inguinal varicocelectomy. METHODS: This study included 44 patients undergoing left microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Internal spermatic veins were classified as large (4 mm or more in diameter), medium (2-4 mm), or small (2 mm or less). Changes in sperm activity, morphology and count were estimated perioperatively. The introperative findings and semen parameters were compared between varicocele groups of grades 2 and 3. RESULTS: Both sperm motility and count improved significantly postoperatively (from (31.9 ± 16.3)% to (47.3 ± 15.5)%, from (28.1 ± 28.1) × 10(6)/mL to (52.1 ± 74.2) × 10(6)/mL). In varicoceles with grade 2 and 3, significant differences were found in the number of large veins (0.4 ± 0.6 vs. 1.2 ± 0.7, p < 0.001) and ultrasonographic maximum diameters of spermatic vein in supine and standing positions (2.3 ± 0.4 cm vs. 2.8 ± 0.6 cm, 3.1 ± 0.7 cm vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 cm, p = 0.001 and 0.001 respectively). However no difference of changes in sperm motility and count was detected ((16.3 ± 13.5)% vs. (14.4 ± 12.6)%, (30.5 ± 84.4) × 10(6)/mL vs. (12.9 ± 20.6) × 10(6)/mL respectively, p = 0.65 and 0.40 respectively). CONCLUSION: Preoperative varicocele grade might not predict postoperative semen changes regardless of possible existence of anatomic and ultrasonographic associations.