(O-08) IMPACT OF SUBINGUINAL MICROSURGICAL VARICOCELECTOMY ON MALE INFERTILITY: SEMINAL PARAMETERS, SERUM TESTOSTERONE, AND PREGNANCY RATE - RETROSPECTIVE COHORT AT A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL IN RIO DE JANEIRO

Abstract

Varicocele is the most common identifiable cause of male infertility, and varicocelectomy is the most frequently performed surgery for its treatment. This condition impacts infertility cases and sperm quality. Microsurgical varicocelectomy is considered the gold standard treatment for varicocele. This retrospective cohort aims to evaluate the effects of microsurgical varicocelectomy on seminal parameters, serum testosterone, and pregnancy rate in the context of male infertility in 39 patients who underwent the procedure at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro. This study is a retrospective cohort conducted between January 2016 and February 2023, involving 39 men who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocele repair in the context of marital infertility. Pre- and post-operative analyses of seminal parameters were based on the criteria of the World Health Organization from 2010. Post-operative semen analysis and serum testosterone levels were assessed 3 to 6 months after varicocelectomy. The pregnancy rate was observed through interviews until February 28, 2023. Subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy is associated with a significant increase in testosterone levels and an improvement in seminal parameters, all with statistical significance. Testosterone levels increased by an average of 84.2 (±14.7) ng/dl. The pregnancy rate also increased significantly, with 51.3% of couples achieving pregnancy as of the time of this study. In this patient population, infertile men with clinical varicocele who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy showed a significant increase in testosterone levels, improvement in seminal parameters, and a significant reduction in the proportion of azoospermia. Furthermore, there was an increase in the occurrence of pregnancy in couples with marital infertility.   No conflict.