The primary approach to varicocele repair is surgery. Where surgery is counter-indicated, your urologist may choose to perform varicocele embolization as an alternative. There are advantages to each method; varicocele embolization is a less invasive procedure, while surgery has the highest success rate. Speak with your doctor to determine which varicocele repair method is right for you.

Varicole Repair Surgery

Varicocele repair surgery is an outpatient procedure which is done either under general or local anesthesia. If you opt for surgery, it is likely that you will return home the same day the surgery is performed.

Before your surgery, your urologist will determine the best way to access the varicocele. Most commonly urologists use an inguinal or a subinguinal incision, which involves cutting from below the belly button to the groin. Less commonly an abdominal incision is performed. To access the area where the varicocele is located, your doctor may use an open incision or smaller incisions with special tubes inserted (laparoscopy.) Both open and laparoscopic incisions will enable your urologist to cut and tie off the varicocele.

Varicole Embolization

Varicocele embolization is a less invasive procedure in which the blood flow to varicocele is cut off by blocking the vein around the varicocele. In this procedure a catheter is inserted into a femoral vein and then guided to the site of the varicocele. A coil or fluid is then inserted to block blood flow to the vein feeding the varicocele.

After varicocele repair, you will likely be able to return to normal activities within two days, and resume having sex in about a week. Your urologist will schedule a follow up visit within 10 days of the procedure, and again after about two months.