History of Varicocele Surgery

Abstract

The review describes the history of varicocele treatment development from ancient times to the present day; from the frst mentioning of the disease by early Greeks (works by Celsus and Galen), surgeries of middle-age surgeons until the prime of modern varicocele surgery. In the middle and at the end of the XX century the understanding of this disease and methods of its therapy underwent significant changes. Many methods of varicocele surgery failed to stand the test of time and are of historical interest only. Other methods formed the basis for modern varicocele surgery and promote effective treatment with minimum risk for complications and recurrence.