One of the most common diseases among men that makes them come to our centre is Varicocele, a condition in which the veins/varicose veins surrounding the testicle dilate and increase in thickness and fibrosity.
Between 10 and 15% of males will suffer from it in their lifetime, it can occur especially between puberty and adulthood and in 90% of cases it occurs in the left testicle.
When is it treated and how is it diagnosed?
It is not necessary to treat it except in case of discomfort and/or pain, if they cause sterility or for aesthetic reasons.
Among the andrological conditions we treat, varicocele is one of those that can be easily observed because the thickening of the veins makes them visible and palpable.
The discomfort presented by patients increases throughout the day, and decreases at times when they are at rest. There may even be cases where it is asymptomatic and not detected until fertility problems or an abnormal shape of the testicle is observed.
We can diagnose it with a physical examination, and a Duplex EchoDoppler makes it clearer; a semen study confirms whether it has caused problems in the fertility of the male.
What treatments do we offer at our centre?
There are different ways of treating it. In our centre, we have specialised in the two methods that achieve the best results:
- Microsurgery: this is an outpatient operation (in which the patient can be operated on and go home after the operation) which is carried out with a microscope that allows the space to be seen more clearly, allowing us to operate with an incision of only 2 or 3 centimetres, and in just 72 hours the patient can return to normality.
- Vein occlusion by embolisation: a vascular radiology technique in which the vein is treated remotely, eliminating scarring and decreasing the chances of the patient suffering pain. This incision is made near the testicles, separating individually thickened veins, which will be closed one by one so that blood does not pool, and only requires a return to the centre for dressings and post-operative follow-up.
Consequences of untreated varicocele
As blood accumulates in the veins surrounding the testicle, the average temperature of the testicle changes and, as a result, sperm that are optimal for reproduction are no longer produced, as their shape, movement and function are altered.
Atrophy of the testicle can occur, as damage to the sperm-producing tubules can cause it to shrink and soften.
Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about this procedure. At GUA we will offer you the highest quality care from the best urologists in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria .
Contact us, we will be happy to answer your questions.