[Evaluation of testicular growth after varicocele treatment in early childhood and adolescence based on the technique used (Palomo, Ivanissevich and embolization)]

OBJECTIVES

To analyze, depending on the technique employed, recurrence, symptomatic improvement and testicular growth following treatment of testicular varicocele.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Descriptive retrospective study of 69 pediatric and adolescent males diagnosed with varicocele treated in our center by open technique according Ivanissevich technique (IT), Palomo (PT) and percutaneous embolization (PE) between 2000-2014. Variables analyzed were age, symptoms, differential testicular volume (RV), employed technique, recurrence, symptomatic improvement and RV after treatment. Association between qualitative variables was evaluated (chi-square test or Fisher's exact test).

RESULTS

69 patients with a median age of 14 years (7-19) were studied. PE was performed in 37 patients (53,6%), PT in 23 (33,3%) and IT in 9 (13%). Recurrence occurred in 16 patients (23,2%), 80% of them had been treated with PE. Eleven patients had pain (15.9%), there was improvement in 100% of patients treated with PE, but none of those treated by PT or IT improved. At diagnosis, 37 patients (53.6%) had decreased testicular volume (left testicular hypotrophy), in 28 cases the RV was >20%. After treatment, the RV was normalized in 11 cases (39,2%).

CONCLUSIONS

The choice of therapeutic technique in pediatric varicocele should be based on patient characteristics, symptoms, experience center for embolization and previous recurrence. Regardless of the chosen technique, 39,2% of testicular hypotrophy with VD >20% present at diagnosis normalized after treatment.