Effect of adult microsurgical varicocelectomy on testicular volume

Objectives. To re-examine the potential influence of varicocelectomy on tes ticular volume using scrotal ultrasonography, because it has been reported that total testicular volume (assessed by physical examination) increases a fter adult varicocele ligation. Methods. A retrospective review of the testicular volume and semen paramete rs of 61 men who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy between 1996 and 1 998 was performed. Ultrasound-derived testicular volumes and total motile s perm counts were compared before varicocelectomy and at a mean of 7.2 month s postoperatively. Results. Bilateral varicocelectomy was performed in 22 men; 39 men underwen t a left-sided procedure only. Overall, no significant change was found in the mean total testicular volume after varicocelectomy compared with preope ratively (24.0 versus 23.9 mL, respectively; P = 0.74). Similarly, the test icular volumes did not change significantly after left or bilateral varicoc electomy (P >0.05). Overall, the mean total motile sperm count increased si gnificantly after varicocelectomy (17.9 to 25.4, P = 0.05). Conclusions. This was the first study to examine the effect of adult varico celectomy on testicular volume using ultrasound-derived measurements of vol ume. Unlike previous findings, our data suggest that although adult varicoc electomy improves semen quality in most infertile men, it does not result i n a significant increase in testicular volume. UROLOGY 56: 136-139, 2000. ( C) 2000, Elsevier Science Inc.