Varicocele Embolization

Treatment Options

Surgical
In varicocele ligation surgery, an incision is made in the skin above the scrotum, cutting down to the testicular veins, and tying them off with sutures. It is usually performed under general anesthesia. Although patients leave the hospital the same day, there is a two to three week recovery period.

Varicocele Embolization
Varicocele embolization is an outpatient procedure that is performed without general anesthesia using "twilight" sedation. In this procedure, a small tube is inserted into the femoral vein in the groin or a vein in the neck through a small nick in the skin (about the size of the lead in a pencil). The skin is numbed for this procedure and it is not painful. Next, a small catheter, or tube, is painlessly guided into the abdomen and into the varicocele vein under the guidance of x-ray imaging (see Figure). The vein is then intentionally closed off by plugging it with small metals coils and a special medication (the same sclerosant medication injected into leg varicose veins). The procedure takes 30 minutes and the patient goes home a few hours later with only a band aid at the puncture site. They can immediately resume their non exertional activities.
The advantages of varicocele embolization include:
• Performed under local anesthesia with mild sedation (general anesthesia used for varicocele ligation).
• Performed on an outpatient basis in our office endovascular suite,
not in a hospital.
• No surgical incision in the groin, only a tiny hole in the skin where a catheter is placed. Leave the office with only a band aid.
• A patient with varicoceles on both sides can have both fixed at the same time through one vein puncture site (surgery requires two separate open incisions).
• It is as effective as surgery, as measured by improvement in pain, semen analysis and pregnancy rates.
• Lower rate of complications compared to surgery. Infection has not been reported after embolization.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Varicocele

[burritoboy726]

Well at least I know that what I have isn't cancer...

[nylarecon]

Glad to hear that from you guys, I thought I'm the only one who have this problem. Let's just continue life and be strong!

[Uaxis]

I HAVE BALL CANCER. It socks.

[Xxurmom123]

is this a bad thing??(im worried)

[1y9b9b]

@powerpunch2

so what happened?

how did you feel after?

how do you feel now?

[ZidaneFTW]

@eagledynasty81 Not a doctor so idk. I didn't get the Embolization. My surgeon cut the area right above my groin and tied the veins off. Now no blood flows to the varicocele. Problem solved. Only when I smoke weed or drink does it swell a bit and produce a dull pain again. I would ask your urologist about the Embolization and the way my surgeon did it and compare. I had my surgery done 3 months ago and I smoked weed quite a bit since then and been okay. Ask your doc like I did.

[eagledynasty81]

@ZidaneFTW FUCKING FINALLY. When I smoke weed, my testicles hurt so fucking bad. After I get embolization, can I smoke weed. How long should I wait if I can?

[gion13888]

@itztramuhh hahahaha i was thinking the same

[gion13888]

I have this

[Arielblue721]

I just realized that i may have Varicocele because i've been experiencing several of the symptoms attributed in this disorder. I thoug i had Prostatitis but my Urine analysis ruled that out, im pretty sure i dont have Hydrocele or a torsion so i guess its Varicocele. This vid was really helpful, i'd much rather have embolization be done than surgery.

[AdimAbdulloev]

damn I just noticed this a week ago, Im so sad

[MrLivePositive8]

@nylarecon Will do, I am going to get mine treated soon. I have only done a self diagnosis but I know my test results will come out as large varicose veins. They get huge sometimes and my left nut hangs really low. There is a huge bunch of them behind my left nut. Wish me the best guys :) Thanks for being open about this, it was nice to see others who have it and your thoughts.