What are the advantages of Varicocele Embolization versus varicocele open surgery?
A urologic surgeon or urologist performs varicocele open surgery. Surgery requires an incision in the scrotum and cuts through layers of tissue to expose the veins. Abnormal veins are ligated, or tied off, which detours the blood to normal veins. Sometimes a laparoscope is used. Varicocele Embolization is a non-surgical procedure that is performed by Interventional Radiologists. Embolization does not involve general anesthesia, incisions in the scrotum, or sutures which surgery requires. A patient with varicoceles on both sides can have both fixed with one vein puncture site (surgery requires two separate open incisions). Embolization almost never requires an overnight admission in the hospital. Studies show that embolization is just as effective as surgery. Complications with embolization are very rarely heard of, but with varicocele open surgery fluid around the testicle (hydrocele) and infection can sometimes occur. What is the timeframe for recovery with Varicocele Embolization ver
