Modified antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy in adolescent patients with varicocele.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the tolerability, safety, and efficacy of a modified antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy in the treatment of varicocele in adolescent patients.

METHODS

From 1998 to 2001, 45 consecutive adolescent patients (average age, 15.26 +/- 1.29; range, 13 to 17 years) underwent modified antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy for varicocele at the authors' department. All patients were evaluated pre- and postoperatively by physical examination and color Doppler ultrasonography of spermatic cords and testis. All treatments were performed under local anaesthesia by a single surgeon. Complication and reflux persistence rates were assessed 6 and 12 months after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 15 minutes. No patient required general anaesthesia during the treatment. No intraoperative complication was recorded, and all patients were discharged within 4 hours. The patients returned to normal school activity within 48 hours. No complication was observed during the follow-up. Six and 12 months after surgery, only 1 patient had a reflux persistence (2.2%).

CONCLUSIONS

Modified antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy was well tolerated in our adolescent patients under local anesthesia. The procedure is simple, rapid, safe, and effective. The possibility to perform this treatment under local anesthesia decreases the hospitalization time and allows the rapid return to school activity in this particular category of patients.