1364 SCREENING AND EARLY TREATMENT FOR VARICOCELE IN PUBERTAL BOYS IS NOT BENEFICIAL FOR THEIR ADULT PATERNITY CHANCE

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologyPediatrics: Andrology - Cryptorchidism & Varicoceles1 Apr 20121364 SCREENING AND EARLY TREATMENT FOR VARICOCELE IN PUBERTAL BOYS IS NOT BENEFICIAL FOR THEIR ADULT PATERNITY CHANCE Guy Bogaert, Christophe Orye, and Gunter Dewin Guy BogaertGuy Bogaert Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author , Christophe OryeChristophe Orye Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author , and Gunter DewinGunter Dewin Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.1748AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES It is non-proven hypothesis that the treatment of a varicocele during puberty would have any influence on fertility or paternity chance. However, since this hypothesis was believed in Belgium in 1987, it was decided to start screening nationwide all schoolboys between 12-17 yrs for a varicocele. In our clinic, the boys and their parents were informed objectively and were able to choose between treatment or follow-up of testicular growth. As most of these schoolboys are adults now, it was time to investigate and ask for their paternity. METHODS 661 patients (<17yr) visited between 1987 and 2005 our pediatric urology clinic for a “simple” varicocele (excluded: bilateral, right-sided, cryptorchidism or other medical problems). Antegrade sclerotherapy (under local or general anesthesia) was offered but not imposed. 372/661 underwent treatment (mean-age=15yr; median-age=15yr) and 289/661 were followed conservatively (mean-age=17yr; median-age=16yr). All patients were recently contacted (intensive attempts of communication using letter, telephone ande-mail) and asked for paternity, time to conception and eventual fertility assisted treatment. RESULTS 361/661 patients responded. The response rate to the survey is comparable in both groups (median-age=31yr in the treated group, median-age=32yr in the follow-up group). 157/361 had an active child wish (72/148 in the control group and 86/201 in the treatment group). Effective paternity was 91% in the conservative group and 86% in the treatment group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This study has shown that there is no beneficial effect for schoolboys screening and treatment for varicocele in regards for later paternity chance. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e553-e554 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Guy Bogaert Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author Christophe Orye Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author Gunter Dewin Leuven, Belgium More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...