Efecto de la varicocelectomía en la fertilidad. Indicaciones, técnicas y resultados.

We define varicocele as the dilation of the veins that make up the pampiniform plexus, which is made up of three branches, the internal spermatic, deferential and external spermatic. The World Health Organization (WHO) has determined that varicocele is an important cause of male infertility. This has been acknowledged by several studies that have shown this cause-effect relationship. Varicocele does not always generate infertility. In fact, many patients with varicocele are fertile, decreasing their percentage in the progression of the pathology and the association with other factors such as tobacco, marijuana or endocrine disorders (diabetes or hypothyroidism). Infertility is a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse (WHO). SURGICAL THERAPEUTICS: Surgery is indicated in cases of grade 3 varicocele (when seen through the scrotal skin and palpable as a 'bag of worms' without Valsalva maneuver), cases of atrophy or growth arrest with volume differences of more than 2cm³ between testes, when accompanied by pain and alterations in the spermiogram in young patients. CONCLUSION: The presence of varicocele determines the performance of varicocelectomy, with the inguinal approach in its three branches being the approach of preference. The laparoscopic approach will be used in specific cases.