[Left varicocoele and iliac venous stasis (author's transl)].

Idiopathic left varicocele is not always due to renospermatic reflux, as is shown by left renal phlebography. Furthermore, radiological exploration of the left iliac venous axis has shown the frequency of main iliac obstruction, compressed by the right iliac artery. The lumen of the iliac vein frequently bears traces of this compression (May and Thurner). The multiplicity of the colateral pathways draining the iliac vein in stasis, is evidence of the reigning increase in pressure. The authors propose the hypothesis that the varicocoele may be due to iliospermatic reflux. This occurs through anastomoses which are well known to anastomists and found on 2 occasions in the series presented. If this hypothesis were verified, it would incite an approach to the cord via the inguinal canal in order to ligature the spermatic veins above their anastomoses with the epigastric.