Sclerotherapy of the pampiniform plexus with modified Marmar technique in children and adolescents

Aims: Treatment of varicocele in children is a debated problem for which no validated guidelines exist. Several techniques have been proposed to solve this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and applicability of a modified Marmar technique in the treatment of varicocele in children and adolescents. Methods:From April 2004 to September 2005, we evaluated 25 patients between the ages of 9 and 18 (mean 14.4) years, who suffered from left-sided varicocele with concomitant testicular hypotrophy. The diagnosis was ascertained clinically and with scrotal color Doppler ultrasound using the Dubin and Amelar classification. In 2 cases phimosis was also present. The operation was performed according to a modified Marmar technique, using embolization of the pampiniform plexus with 2 ml of 3% polidocanol. Patients underwent clinical evaluation and scrotal color Doppler ultrasound at 1 week and 3 and 6 months. Results: The mean duration of the operation was 42 min. At 1 week after surgery no persistence of varicocele was found. In 1 patient, edema of the spermatic cord occurred for about 2 months with spontaneous regression, in 1 patient homolateral hydrocele was observed. At 6 months no other complications were reported. No case of testicular atrophy was observed. Conclusions: The technique described has already been validated in the adult population, and although we present only a small number of cases, the operation proved easy to perform, safe, of low cost and can be considered a valid alternative to the microsurgical technique in children and adolescents.