FINANCIAL ANALYSIS OF ANTEGRADE SCROTAL SCLEROTHERAPY FOR MEN WITH VARICOCELES

Objective To calculate and compare the costs of the treatment of varic ocele by antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy with other modalities. Patien ts and methods A total of 2305 operations using antegrade scrotal scle rotherapy to treat varicocele in childhood and adolescence were analys ed for cost factors and compared with different surgical treatment met hods for varicocele. Results Calculation of the pre-, intra- and post- operative costs showed that antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy was the mo st economically effective of all forms of surgical management for vari cocele. Conclusions Because antegrade scrotal sclerotherapy is a cost- effective treatment for varicocele, the indications for treatment may be widened to include more men with potential infertility, and thus av oid the need for expensive methods of artificial fertilization.