Effects of grade 1 varicocele detected in the pediatric age-group on testicular development

Purpose

A number of reports have indicated the effectiveness of varicocelectomy on large varicoceles in adolescents. We carried out a 5-year follow-up study to examine the effect of grade 1 varicocele on testicular development.

Methods

Of 31 boys with left grade 1 varicocele (mean age, 12.6 years), 10 underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy and 21 were conservatively observed and evaluated for testicular volume and varicocele grade. The control group consisted of 20 healthy age-matched boys without a varicocele. The mean relative left testicular volume was compared with the right testis and the absolute bilateral testicular volumes among the boys in all groups.

Results

Of 21 boys who were observed, 13 (62%) continued to have grade 1 varicocele, 4 (19%) developed grade 2 varicocele, and the other 4 boys (19%) showed spontaneous resolution. Twelve testes (57%) developed in parallel with the right testis, and 1 boy (5%) who experienced spontaneous resolution of the varicocele had catch-up testicular growth, whereas 8 boys (38%) had left testicular growth delay with or without an increasing grade of varicocele. Varicocelectomy, but not observation, improved the previously noted testicular growth delay. Furthermore, right testicular growth delay was also noted during observation.

Conclusions

More than half of the total number of boys with grade 1 varicocele showed normal development, whereas many boys presented with growth delay in both testes. Thus, we still need to define reliable predictors that will permit selection of the best candidates for varicocelectomy.