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Is surgery necessary for varicocele?
Varicocele treatment might not be necessary. Many men with varicoceles are able to father a child without any treatment. However, if your varicocele causes pain, testicular atrophy or infertility or if you are considering assisted reproductive techniques, you might want to undergo varicocele repair.
Can varicoceles cause permanent damage?
Varicoceles are not life threatening, but rarely they can be associated with dangerous conditions. For example, if a varicocele forms on the right side and not the left, it is important to make sure there is no mass or other abnormality in the abdomen that might be causing it.
What is grade 2 left varicocele?
Diagnosis. There are three grades of varicocele: Grade 1: The smallest type, this is not visible, but a physician can feel it if they use a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 2: This is not visible, but it can be felt without a Valsalva maneuver. Grade 3: The varicocele is visible.
How many grades of varicocele are there?
There are three grades of varicocele: Grade I: able to be felt only when the patient is straining (valsalva maneuver) Grade II: able to be felt at rest, but not visible. Grade III: clearly visible on exam.
What are the treatment options for varicocele?
When needed, surgery is the main form of treatment. Embolization (briefly blocking the veins) is a non-surgical treatment option. There are many ways to do varicocele surgery.
What happens if you have a Grade 2 varicocele?
Shunt type: A severe buildup causes damage to the spermatic vein and other veins, leading to a larger, grade II or III varicocele. The left testicle is most likely to be affected. However, even if only one side contains a varicocele, this can impact sperm production on both sides.
What is varicocele embolization and is it safe?
Varicocele embolization is a treatment for varicoceles that is non-surgical, and as a result, does not carry the same risks as surgery. Learn more about the common varicocele surgery complications below. Are There Varicocele Surgery Complications I Should Be Aware Of?
What are the possible complications of varicocele surgery?
But there are also some major complications specific to varicocele surgery that you should be aware of: Varicocele recurrence can be due to incomplete blockage of the veins that are causing the varicocele. Hydrocele formation, or a collection of fluid in or around the scrotum, results from the disruption of the lymphatic flow.