Sunday, May 15, 2011

I have a varicocele and do not want to undergo surgery. My doctor says I should undergo embolization. Can you explain?


For those who are afraid of the knife or the surgeon, a technique called embolization can be performed. This is done in a radiology suite by a radiologist and involves passing a small tube from the groin to the varicocele. The entire procedure is visualized under x-rays and then the veins are plugged or closed off. The procedure is tedious and time consuming and is generally recommended when there is recurrence of varicoceles. Best advice-if your varicocele is not bothering you, leave it alone. Some doctors like to perform unnecessary surgery and make money.