Varicocele Treatment in Hyderabad
A varicocele is a condition where the vein in the scrotum enlarges and becomes swollen. It is similar to varicose veins and it also occurs due to the pooling of blood in the veins. This condition is seen in young children and develops during puberty. Though it is painful and causes discomfort, it does not cause any harm. But varicocele can have an impact on your fertility as the development of testicles gets affected.
Does Varicocele Show Any Signs in Children?
In most cases, varicocele does not cause any signs or symptoms. However, the following can be the common signs:
- A testicle smaller than another testicle
- A dull pain or discomfort while standing and you often find relief by lying down
- A mass like a “bag of worms” might be visible at the testicle
- Soft testicle
If your child is experiencing any of these signs, you should make an appointment with a urologist.
What Causes Varicocele?
The exact reason is not still clear. Testicular veins are responsible for carrying the blood back from the testis. If the valves inside these veins do not function well, the flow of oxygen-depleted blood back from the testis gets affected. As a result, blood gets pooled in the testicular veins and the veins get enlarged. This leads to a varicocele.
Also, the testicular vein on the left side has a different blood flow and it requires more pressure for the blood to flow. During puberty, there is a rapid growth of the testicles and requires more blood flow. In most cases, a varicocele occurs on the left testicle. The poor circulation of blood due to the varicocele increases the blood temperature along with the testicle’s temperature. Due to this, sperm production gets affected and the generated sperm may also get destroyed.
Diagnosis of Varicocele
The doctor can easily identify a varicocele with a physical examination as they appear as a heavy mass. It can be examined either while you are standing or while lying down. Your child will be asked to stand up and take a deep breath. The breath needs to be held while bearing down and it is called the Valsalva maneuver. This helps your doctor to feel the enlarged vein.
The doctor may also perform an ultrasound of the scrotum. The ultrasound makes use of sound waves to generate images of the body. Using the images, the doctor can determine the size of veins and the direction of blood flow in the scrotal vein. An ultrasound is also helpful to rule out other causes and to determine the diagnosis.
How is Varicocele Treated?
In most cases, a varicocele does not require any treatment. The treatment is required only if:
- You have pain
- If the left testicle is smaller than the right one
- If you have fertility issues
No medications can treat or prevent a varicocele. But some painkillers can be used to deal with the pain. The only treatment for varicocele is surgery. The main aim of surgery is to remove or seal the affected vein and redirect the flow of blood to the healthy veins.
The condition needs to be regular follow up even if surgery is not performed as it may slowly damage the testis.
Surgery has 97% success rate.
Surgery can be performed in two ways namely:
- Microscopic varicocelectomy: This involves making a small incision about one inch above the scrotum. Using a magnifying glass or a microscope, the surgeon ties off the small veins. The procedure takes around two to three hours and you can get back home on the same day.
- Laparoscopic varicocelectomy: It involves making a smaller incision to insert thin tubes and a camera to view the inside of the body and to repair the varicocele. It takes around 40 minutes and you can leave the hospital on the same day.
Looking for a Varicocele Treatment? Meet Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy Today
Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy is one of the best pediatric urologists in Hyderabad with over 30 years of experience. He has treated various urology problems in children with a high success rate. He offers both surgical and non-surgical treatment for children and can effectively treat any kind of urology disorder. He has gained experience in performing robotic surgeries for both adults and children. If you wish to discuss your child’s condition with Dr Mallikarjuna Reddy, call us and schedule your appointment.