(256) Effect of Early Varicocelectomy Intervention on Male Hormone Levels in Adolescent Males
Authors: Salvidor R , Pereira T , Good J , Bernie H 
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Varicoceles can be found in approximately 15% of the adult male population and are known to impact male fertility. Varicoceles may develop during adolescence and increase in size as these males undergo puberty. According to current guidelines, it is recommended to monitor young asymptomatic patients and consider surgical intervention if they develop testicular size discrepancies, fertility issues, abnormal semen analyses, or experience significant pain. However, the effect of varicoceles on sex hormones and management in young males is poorly understood.

Objective

To evaluate the impact of early surgical intervention for varicoceles with a microsurgical varicocelectomy on hormone levels and safety profiles in adolescent males.

Methods

A retrospective review was conducted on 67 patients between the ages of 10 and 17 years old who had a grade 2 (G2) or grade 3 (G3) varicocele, and underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy between November 2021 and May 2023. Patient demographics, varicocele laterality and grade, surgical data, and pre-and post-operative hormone levels were collected as well as post-operative complications. Hormonal panel was collected before 11AM using LCMS and included total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), percent free testosterone (%FT), estradiol (E2), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (P), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG). Statistical analyses were conducted using SAS System.

Results

A total of 67 patients had complete data (96% had G3 varicoceles). Preoperative FT was statistically significant between varicocele grades 2 and 3 (p=0.03) with G3 varicoceles having lower preop FT levels. Pre-operative hormone levels for G2 varicoceles were: TT 550ng/dL (std 177ng/dL), FT 126ng/dL (std 27), E2 33 (std 2.64), FSH 3.53 (std 1.27) and LH 5.06 (std 3.53). Pre-op levels for G3 varicoceles: TT 437ng/dL (std 199ng/dL), FT 71.3 (std 42.2), E2 25.2 (std 9.64), FSH 4.34 (std 3.3) and LH 3.73 (std 1.9). Post operatively TT levels improved in G3 varicocelectomy patients with a postop mean TT 445ng/dL (std 109ng/dL), however this did not meet statistical significance. There was no statistically significant difference between postoperative hormone panel labs between varicocele grades. There were no complications in any of the patients and no recurrence of varicoceles.

Conclusions

Our study evaluated the impact of early surgical intervention for G2 and G3 varicoceles on hormone levels in adolescent males. The results showed a significant difference in preoperative Free T levels between G2 and G3 varicocele patients possibly indicating the impact of varicocele grade on FT levels in adolescents. Early surgical intervention for G3 varicoceles appears to be safe with resultant improvements in TT levels with no increased risk of complications. Further investigations to explore the potential benefits of early surgical treatment in adolescent patients with varicoceles evaluating hormonal profiles in larger cohorts.

Disclosure

Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Boston Scientific, Coloplast and BK Ultrasound.