Efficacy of Varicocele Repair in Different Age Groups

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To compare semen parameters and spouse pregnancy rates after varicocele repair in 2 age groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS Mean changes in spermatozoa concentration, motility, and morphology after varicocele repair in 83 patients were compared between patients aged 30 years or younger (group 1) and those older than 30 years (group 2). Spouse pregnancy rates were compared between the 2 age groups. RESULTS The mean sperm concentration increased significantly in both groups (P < .05). The percentage of motile sperm increased from 48.2 to 56.6 in group 1 and from 47.2 to 53.2 in group 2 one year after varicocele repair. The increase in motility was statistically significant for both groups (P <. 05), but there was no statistically significant difference in the increase in sperm motility between the 2 groups (P = .01). The percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology decreased significantly in both groups 12 months postoperatively (from 62.7 to 59.6 in group 1 and from 61.3 to 58 in group 2; P = .03). However, there was no statistically significant difference in the improvement in sperm morphology between the 2 groups (P > .05). The pregnancy rates in the patients' spouses were 51.1 and 44.7 in groups 1 and 2, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P = .9). CONCLUSION There was no statistically significant difference in semen parameter improvement and spouse pregnancy rates after varicocelectomy in the 2 age groups. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc.