Ateeque Ahemed Khan, Tanveerul Haq.
Outcome of gonadal vein embolization for obliteration of varicocele.
J Surg Pak Jan ;15(2):64-7.

Objective To evaluate the technique of gonadal vein embolization by steel coils in obliteration of varicocele in terms of technical success, technical failure and recurrence. Study design Descriptive study. Place & Duration of study Radiology Department Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi, from 1990 to 2009. Methodology All patients with varicocele who underwent percutaneous embolization by steel coil were included. All had clinical varicocele and confirmed by ultrasound and doppler scan. Cannulation of gonadal vein with venograms was attempted. Data regarding technical success rate, failure and recurrence rate was analyzed. Results In 48 patients of percutaneous embolization, 45 patients had left sided varicocele and in three cases bilateral varicoceles were present. Thirty two (72%) left sided unilateral varicocele were successfully embolized technically. Three bilateral varicocele were also occluded successfully. Technical failure occurred in 13 (27%) cases of unilateral left sided varicocele and recurrence found in 6 (12%), of whom one patient was lost to follow up. Conclusions The low technical success rate, high failure and recurrence were because of use of common femoral vein as a route of venous access, tight ostium and spasm and tortuousity of veins, and use of single coil especially in cases of aberrantly fed varicocele.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com