[Venography and percutaneous embolization of the spermatic vein with spring coil as treatment of the varicocele in childhood].

The treatment of varicocele is controversial in boys and it is a contributing factor to male infertility. Recently it has been proposed that earlier therapy of a varicocele during this period may improve the prognosis of infertility. We review our experience with the diagnosis and management of left varicocele in 30 pediatric patients 6 to 15 years old. All patients had clinically palpable varicocele. All were managed under local anesthesia by spermatic venography and percutaneous transcatheter embolization of the internal spermatic vein with spring coils. All achieved satisfactory occlusion, and during the follow up from 13 years to 9 months there was only one recurrence, noted in a patient 6 months after the procedure. Internal spermatic venograms allowed precise coil placement relative to collateral veins which could cause recurrence. Complications developed were phlebitis of the pampiniform plexus, leading to swelling and erythema of the left scrotum and mild flank pain, these symptoms resolved without sequelae. This a safe and effective nonsurgical method of obliterating varicoceles in children.