Publication:

Factors predicting early improvement in semen parameters following varicocele surgery

Background Varicocelectomy does not improve semen parameters and pregnancy rates in all cases. Various studies have been done to find out factors which predict better outcomes of varicocelectomy so that only such patients may be selected to undergo the surgery. The present study is an attempt to identify such factors by prospective cohort method.

Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on 25 patients undergoing varicocelectomy for infertility at St John medical college hospital, Bangalore from 01-06-2012 to 31-05-2013. Clinical data, semen analysis, scrotal imaging and hormonal assays were done and postoperatively semen analysis was done after three months. The data was analysed to find out predicting factors for improvement of semen parameters.

Results Twenty five patients underwent varicocele surgery, all of them showed improvement of semen parameters. Fifteen of them had more than 50% of improvement. Serum FSH and testosterone levels were found to be predictive of semen parameter improvement.

Conclusions Preoperative low serum FSH and high testosterone concentration were factors predicting early improvement in semen parameters following varicocele surgery in infertile males.