ABSTRACT
References 289
1. INTRODUCTION
Varicoceles are considered to be the most identifiable cause of male infertility. The
incidence of varicocele in prepuberal age varies from 10% to 15%, according to different
series; the importance of early treatment, in childhood, to prevent testicular damage is
widely accepted (1). Treatment options include spermatic vein sclerotherapy or emboli-
sation, classical open surgical treatment via a scrotal, high retroperitoneal or inguinal
approach, microsurgical bypass, and more recently, laparoscopy (2-4).
