Does Age Matter? Impact of Age on Testicular Function and Pregnancy Outcomes Following Microsurgical Varicocelectomy in Patients with Grade 3 Varicocele

Overview

Journal Arab J Urol

Date 2025 Jan 8

PMID 39776551

Authors

Haitham Elbardisi

Ahmad AlMalki

Kareim Khalafalla

Walid El Ansari

Mohamed Arafa

Mohammed Mahdi

Khalid AlKubaisi

Sami AlSaid

Onder Canguven

Ahmad Majzoub

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of age on semen and hormonal parameters following microsurgical varicocelectomy among patients with grade 3 varicocele, and to compare fertility outcomes between younger (<40 years) and older (≥40 years) men.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of infertile patients with clinical left grade 3 varicocele who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV). Patients meeting the inclusion criteria ( = 550) were divided into two groups based on their age at the time of MV: <40 ( = 441) and ≥40 years ( = 109). Preoperative semen analysis and hormonal profiles were collected, and follow-up data including pregnancy outcomes were gathered at 3 and 6 months post-surgery.

Results: Post-surgery, the younger group showed significant improvements in sperm count and total motility ( < 0.001 for each) as well as progressive motility ( = 0.005), while older men exhibited a significant increase in progressive motility ( = 0.002). For each group, there were no significant changes in hormonal levels post-surgery. Comparative analysis across the two age groups showed no significant differences in the postoperative extent of semen improvements or pregnancy.

Conclusion: MV is a viable option for older infertile patients as it is for younger infertile men with grade 3 varicocele, and both groups can achieve similarly high rates of pregnancy outcomes.

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