Adolescent Varicocele

Abstract

Introduction: Adolescent varicocele is still a controversial issue in pediatric urology. In this study, we aimed to evaluate adolescent patients with varicocele, who were operated in our clinic, in the light of literature. Materials and Methods: The data of adolescent patients who underwent varicocelectomy between January 2012 and January 2018 in the Urology Clinic of Malatya Training and Research Hospital were examined retrospectively. The age and admission complaint of the patients, the localization of varicocele, the varicocele grade determined by color Doppler ultrasound (US), the presence of testicular atrophy, the height, weight, body mass index of the patients as well as their relationship with each other were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the patients is 14.74 years (10 -17 years). Of the patients, 153 (92.2%) had a left-sided varicocele and 13 (7.8%) had a right-sided varicocele. When admission complaints of the patients were examined, 31 (18.6%) had scrotal pain, 53 (32.2%) had scrotal swelling, 21 (12.6%) had skin bruising, 40 (24%) had dilated veins recognized by the family, and 21 (12.6%) had more than one complaint. When the relationship between varicocele grade and BMI was examined, 13 (35.1%) of the 37 patients with a grade 2 varicocele were lean, 23 (62.1%) were normal weight, and 1 (2.8%) was obese. 12 (17.7%) of the 68 patients with a grade 3 varicocele were lean, 54 (79.4%) were normal weight, and 2 (2.9%) were overweight. 8 (13.1%) of the 61 (36.7%) with a grade 4 varicocele were lean, 46 (75.5%) were normal weight, and 7 (11.4%) were overweight. Conclusion: Adolescent varicocele is still one of the controversial issues today; the diagnosis should be made with the help of physical examination and radiological tests besides the family's application in boys in this age group in order to prevent possible problems.