Korean J Urol.  2007 Jul;48(7):731-734. 10.4111/kju.2007.48.7.731.

Ipsilateral Testicular Catch-up Growth after Varicocelectomy in Adolescents

• Seo JW
• Cho KS
• Han SW

• KMID: 1990226
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4111/kju.2007.48.7.731

Abstract

PURPOSE: After adolescent varicocelectomy, there is a lack of standards for the follow-up and evaluation of the catch-up growth. We investigated the time to achieve catch-up growthaccording to the difference in testicular volume as compared to the contralateral testis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
From 1997 to 2004, 51 patients with at least a 1cc difference in testicular volume, as compared to the contralateral testis, and for whom the follow up was longer than 6 months were the subjects of this study. Testicular volume was measured using a Prader orchidometer and catch-up growth was defined as the equalization of testicular volume to the contralateral testis. The time to catch-up growth was investigated.
RESULTS
47 of 51 patients had a GIII varicocele and 4 had a GII varicocele. The mean difference in testicular volume was 2.9+/-1.8cc. Catch-up growth was noted in 33(64.7%) and the mean time to catch-up growth was 14.7 months. Catch-up growth occurred in 52.2%, 67.8 and 74.3% of the patients at 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively(the Kaplan-Meier). The time to catch-up growth was significantly shorter in those with a testicular volume difference of less than 3cc prior to operation(p=0.02, the log-rank test). There was no significant difference according to the age when surgery was performed(<12 years vs. >or=12 years, p>0.05, the log-rank test).
CONCLUSIONS
Catch-up growth following varicocelectomy in adolescents can be expected in about 65% of patients and this occurs within 2 years for most patients. The preoperative testicular volume difference is associated with the speed of the catch-up growth. However, whether recovery of testicular volume means recovery of testicular function needs further study.

Keyword

Varicocele; Adolescent; Testis

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Testis
Varicocele

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Time to reach catch-up growth after varicocelectomy.

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  Fig. 2 Comparison of catch-up growth according to the pre-operative testicular size differences.

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  Fig. 3 Comparison of catch-up growth according to the age at operation (<12 years and 12 years≥).

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