Is it worthwhile to operate on subclinical right varicocele in patients with grade II-III varicocele in the left testicle?

PURPOSE: To determine whether repair of subclinical varicoceles in the right testicle results in significant seminal improvement in patients with clinical left varicocele.

METHODS: Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (unilateral varicocelectomy) and Group II (bilateral varicocelectomy-subclinical left varicocele). The mean sperm concentration before treatment was higher in Group I (21.01 +/- 19.1) compared to Group II (5.7 +/- 10.7) (p = 0.04).

RESULTS: An increase in volume was detected in the left testicle of patients in Group I (17 +/- 7.9 vs. 22.81 +/- 8.2; p = 0.04) and in the right testicle of patients in Group II (18.4 +/- 6.2 vs. 22.3 +/- 6.5; p = 0.04). Although the mean postoperative sperm concentration in Group I increased slightly (25.7 +/- 22.8), the mean sperm concentration in Group II increased significantly (30.32 +/- 9.8; p = 0.03). Pregnancy rate was higher in Group II (66.7%) compared to Group I (33.3%).

CONCLUSIONS: Even a small, subclinical unrepaired varicocele continues to have a detrimental effect on bilateral testis function in a patient with grade II-III left varicocele.