Based on current available r and omized controlled trials , there is low to moderate level of evidence that radiological or surgical treatment of adolescent varicocele is associated with improved testicular size/growth and sperm concentration .
BACKGROUND The prevalence of varicoceles is as high as 15 % in children and adolescents .
Optimal management of varicoceles has not been consoli date d. Options include observation , radiological intervention , or surgical varicocelectomy .
OBJECTIVE Herein , we aim to assess the outcomes of radiological and surgical interventions for varicocele in children and adolescents evaluated by RCTs .
Repair versus observation in adolescent varicocele: a prospective study.
PURPOSE We design ed a r and omized prospect i ve study of male adolescents with moderate and severe varicoceles to determine whether prophylactic varicocele repair is beneficial . MATERIAL S AND METHODS We evaluated 2,100 boys ( 10 to 20 years old ) for genitourinary abnormalities . From this population 2 groups of adolescents 15 to 19 years old with grade 2 or 3 varicoceles were created , including 88 who underwent varicocele repair and 36 controls .  Testicular volume and pampiniform vein diameter were measured , and Doppler ultrasound was performed . RESULTS After 12 months volume of the involved left testis increased to almost normal in treated boys ( mean atrophy index 12.7 % at surgery and 3 % 12 months later ) . In controls the corresponding atrophy indexes were 10 and 9 % , respectively . The relative increase in left testicular volume was 26 % in the surgery group and 11 % in controls . In the surgery group mean pampiniform vein diameter decreased from 2.8 preoperatively to 2 mm . postoperatively but there was no change in controls . CONCLUSIONS Varicocele repair in adolescents with moderate and severe varicocele reversed testicular growth arrest and result ed in catch-up growth within 12 month of surgery
Based on current available r and omized controlled trials , there is low to moderate level of evidence that radiological or surgical treatment of adolescent varicocele is associated with improved testicular size/growth and sperm concentration .
BACKGROUND The prevalence of varicoceles is as high as 15 % in children and adolescents .
Optimal management of varicoceles has not been consoli date d. Options include observation , radiological intervention , or surgical varicocelectomy .
OBJECTIVE Herein , we aim to assess the outcomes of radiological and surgical interventions for varicocele in children and adolescents evaluated by RCTs .