Idiopathic varicocele. Ligature of the reflexive vessels to the internal inguinal ring

The idiopathic varicocele is involved in 40-50% of the male sterility. The angiographic studies undertaken by Coolsaet in the 1980 have showed the different anatomic conditions that are at origin of the varicocele, explaining the recurrence or persistence of the illness after surgical operations. The high ligature of spermatic vein (Ivanissevich), eventually with ligature of spermatic artery also (Palomo), and the micro-surgical anastomoses result in high percentage of varicocele persistence. On the basis of such considerations, the Authors

The idiopathic varicocele is involved in 40-50% of the male sterility. The angiographic studies undertaken by Coolsaet in the 1980 have showed the different anatomic conditions that are at origin of the varicocele, explaining the recurrence or persistence of the illness after surgical operations. The high ligature of spermatic vein (Ivanissevich), eventually with ligature of spermatic artery also (Palomo), and the micro-surgical anastomoses result in high percentage of varicocele persistence. On the basis of such considerations, the Authors reviewed their experience on 371 patient surgically treated for idiopathic varicocele by inguinal ligature of the refluxive venous vessels. They emphasize the role of the intraoperative Doppler, that consents preserving spermatic artery and not-refluxive venous vessels, and need to respect the lymphatics.