What are varicoceles?
An enlarged vein in a male’s scrotum which causes poor circulation and pooling of blood leading to swelling, pain, or infertility is known as varicocele. Varicocele may cause the testicles to shrink. The condition may lead to reduced sperm production or sperm motility, and abnormal sperm morphology.
Traditionally, varicoceles had been treated using open surgery, microsurgery, or laparoscopic surgery. Though very common such procedures have several associated risks and complications due to their highly invasive nature.
Due to the recent advancements in technology, minimally invasive procedures are possible which can offer similar or even better results with lesser associated complications.
In this blog, let us know the benefits of Varicocele embolization, a minimally invasive procedure, and why you should prefer a non- surgical treatment over the traditional surgical procedure for Varicocele.
- Avoid general anesthesia
Various Varicocele surgical procedures require general anesthesia which is linked to many complications predominantly nausea, sore throat, and a temporary loss of proper mental functioning. However, embolization can be performed under local anesthesia which is proven to be safer with fewer risks involved.
- Outpatient procedure
Embolization is often done as an outpatient procedure, and hence you most probably will return home on the same day after the procedure and you get to recover in a more comfortable environment. Surgery will require that you stay in the hospital until your vital signs are normal and your risks for complications are evaluated.
- Lesser downtime after the procedure
Any surgical procedure for varicocele will require few incisions on your abdomen for accurate assess and repair of the dysfunctional veins. Hence, recovery after surgery will take longer time. You will be required to abstain from any kind of physical activity for several weeks following the surgical procedure since it may lead to tearing of the incisions causing bleeding or leading to infection. However, Embolization procedure ensures minimum scarring and a lower infection risk as it requires no major incisions and requires only a small nick in the skin which does not need stitches for insertion of a catheter tube.
- High Success rate
Studies prove that one out of 10 men will have a recurrence of varicocele post-surgery. Embolization, a lesser invasive procedure, offers a long-term success rate of over 90% which is similar to that of the more invasive procedures.
How to prepare for Varicocele embolization
Your doctor should be informed about any existing medical conditions, allergies especially to anesthesia or contrast materials, illnesses, or medications you are presently taking including aspirin. You may be advised to stop taking aspirin, or blood thinners few days prior to the procedure. On the day of the procedure wear comfortable clothes and it is generally recommended to avoid any jewelry. You may be told not to eat or drink anything for few hours before your procedure.
If you are diagnosed with varicocele, talk to a vascular specialist to know if you are a suitable candidate for embolization.
Varicocele Treatment In Hyderabad
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