Long-term effect of varicocele repair on intratesticular arterial resistance index

Purpose To investigate the long‐term effect of varicocele repair on ipsilateral intratesticular arterial resistance index (RI) using color Doppler sonography (CDS). Methods A total of 26 infertile patients with left varicocele who underwent a testicular artery and lymphatic‐sparing subinguinal varicocelectomy were examined with CDS for intratesticular flow parameters before and at least 6 months after surgery. We also evaluated preoperative and postoperative semen parameters. Results The mean values of RI, end‐diastolic velocity and pulsatility index decreased significantly after surgery, whereas no significant change was observed in peak systolic velocity. Repair of the varicocele resulted in a statistically significant increase in the total sperm count, motility, morphology, and total motile sperm count. However, no significant correlation was found between sperm parameters and RI values (p > 0.05). Conclusions Our data show that a significant improvement occurs in testicular blood supply and sperm parameters after surgical varicocele repair, without significant correlation between these 2 changes. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2008