Venous tension patterns in cord veins. I. In normal and varicocele individuals.

A study on venous tension patterns in the cord veins was done on 30 normal individuals and 32 patients with a left varicocele. Semen analyses and testicular biopsies were done. Venous tension was measured with the patient at rest and during Valsalv's maneuver with a saline manometer. The average normal venous tension with the patient at rest was 58.7 mm. Hg on the right side and 59.9 mm. Hg on the left side. In varicocele patients venous tension on the right side was slightly higher than normal (the average difference being 0.9 mm. Hg), whereas on the left side it was considerably higher (the average difference being 19.7 mm. Hg with the patient at rest and 22 mm. Hg during Valsalva's maneuver). The average increase of venous tension in varicose veins during demonstrates conclusively the presence of venous reflux and hypertension in patients with varicocele. The possible effects of venous reflux on cord veins and testes are presented. The role of venous hypertension in the bilateral effect of varicocele is discussed.