Andrology - male diseases >>>> Varicocele

Varicocele.

Varicose lesions of the groin-like plexus of the spermatic cord are called varicocele. Varicose veins cause eniargement of the venous vessels, usually on the left side, due to the anatomical features of the passage of the spermatic vein. Varicocele is a disease that is quite common among different age groups of men, but adolescents have an advantage during the period of their intensive growth and development (primary varicocele). Among the age groups of men of childbearing age, varicocele can cause infertility in 40% of cases. This also applies to those men who already have children, but as a result of the development of varicose veins of the spermatic vein, they acquire infertility.

Varicocele develops due to a malfunction of the vein valves as a result of prolonged physical overload, standing work, diseases that cause tension of the anterior abdominal wall (constipation), compression of the renal veins, when the venous valves can no longer cope with increasing blood pressure, which gradually leads to expansion veins and the formation of tumor-like venous nodes.

Signs of varicocele can be manifested by various unpleasant sensations up to intense pain. But varicocele can be asymptomatic.

Most often, symptoms (pain in the scrotum or left testicle) appear in an upright position of the body, when walking, when lifting weights, during exercise that strains the peritoneal region, during intercourse.

When examined in an upright position of the body, it is possible to detect varicose veins of the testis by touch (the consistency and size of the testicle do not change). But in the neglected variant of varicocele, both the altered consistency of the testicle and an increase in its size (prolapse of the testicle, sagging of the scrotum) are revealed. With an asymptomatic course of varicocele (at the initial stage of its development), the disease can be determined only with a hardware examination (ultrasound, Doppler ultrasonography). With a more extensive examination, to identify the causes of varicocele, ultrasound of the retroperitoneal space and kidneys, venography (testicles and kidneys), phlebography are prescribed.

Treatment for varicocele depends on the degree of neglect of the disease. At the initial stages of varicocele, measures are prescribed to prevent stagnation of venous blood in the small pelvis, prevention of constipation is carried out, the patient is offered to reduce or stop physical activity, leading to tension of the peritoneum, as a preventive measure, wearing a bandage is prescribed.

Surgical treatment of varicocele is necessary in cases of intense pain, with a change in the position of the testicle, with lagging growth and development of the testicle during the growth of the male body. Surgery is currently performed using laparoscopy, which minimizes trauma and shortens the recovery period after surgery. During the operation, the enlarged vein is tied or transected, which reduces blood flow to the spermatic cord.