Varicocele is an exclusively male disease, but many members of the stronger sex have never even heard of it. Meanwhile, such a pathology is considered quite common, and it is diagnosed in 15% of the male population of the planet. The disease is usually detected during the search for the causes of male infertility, since in 40% of cases it prevents the conception of the first child and in 80% of the second. Basically, the development of varicocele of the left testicle occurs (photos of this disease are present in andrology reference books).
What is a varicocele?
This disease is a varicose vein of the testicles and spermatic cord, as a result of which blood flow is disturbed in these organs. Venous blood, instead of entering the inferior vena cava or renal vein, begins to be discharged into the vessels of the testicles, and there it stagnates. After some time, blood begins to accumulate at the site of expansion, venous valves and walls cannot cope with this. There are problems. The most common varicocele is in the left testicle.because there is a connection between the renal and spermatic veins.
Why does varicocele cause infertility?
As you know, the liquid practically cannot be compressed, so the pressure formed by the reverse flow of blood begins to be transmitted in all directions. After a while, as a result of high pressure, the veins begin to stretch and increase in size. The strength of their walls can be different, and depending on the strength of the venous pressure, the stretching reaches various degrees. The network of veins surrounding the testicle begins to increase greatly, because of which it seems to be immersed in a sponge from the vessels. The scrotum constantly overheats, and the cooling of the testicle stops. In order for spermatozoa to be produced normally, a lower temperature is needed, which is no longer there. Therefore, varicocele is considered a major factor in infertility in men.
Causes of varicocele
If you focus on statistics, then in 92% of cases there is a varicocele of the left testicle. The reasons for this are due to the anatomical features of the structure of the network of blood vessels in the scrotum. The vein of the right testicle flows into the inferior vena cava, and the left one into the renal vein, which is often clamped between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta. This leads to difficulty in venous outflow in this direction. It was also found that the valve of the left testicular vein is damaged more often than the valves of the right vessel.
The causes of left testicular varicocele are:
- weakness of the wallsvessel, congenital valvular insufficiency, history of varicose veins;
- excessive pressure that occurs in the pelvis due to the development of oncopathology, with diarrhea, constipation, etc.
How is a varicocele diagnosed?
The andrologist diagnoses this pathology. First, the doctor interviews the patient to identify all comorbidities, after which the patient passes all the required tests. If there is a suspicion of a varicocele, then in this case an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity and dopplerography are prescribed. Such procedures are performed when the patient is standing or lying down. If the doctor is experienced, then it will not be difficult for him to determine the varicocele by probing the cord of the seminal fluid.
Also, this disease is diagnosed using the Valsalva test. The patient needs to tighten the press, and the doctor, when probing, determines the enlarged veins in the diseased organ.
Varicocele and left testicular cyst
This disease is often accompanied by a complication such as a testicular cyst. It prevents the advancement of spermatozoa, puts pressure on the receptors of the epididymis, resulting in neuroreceptor disorders of sexual function. It is removed promptly.
Treatment of varicocele
How to treat varicocele on the left testicle? The only effective treatment is surgery. Since this disease does not belong to the category of dangerous, there is no direct indication for surgical intervention. This is only necessary in the following cases:
- constant pain in the testicles;
- to eliminate a defect in the scrotum, giving it an aesthetic appearance;
- male infertility treatment.
At the same time, many experts tend to agree that if a varicocele is detected in children and adolescents, then an operation must be done to eliminate potential infertility.
To date, the surgical treatment of this disease is presented in four ways:
- open surgery (according to Ivanissevich);
- endoscopic surgery;
- operation from mini access;
- microsurgical testicular revascularization.
Open operation
Such surgery is performed quite often if a varicocele of the left testicle is diagnosed. The operation according to Ivanissevich is carried out as follows: an incision is made in the iliac region. After the skin and subcutaneous tissue are dissected, a layer of muscles and tendons is cut, a testicular vein is found in the depths and ligated. The essence of the operation is the isolating ligation of the veins of the left testicle slightly above the inner ring of the inguinal canal.
Operation from mini access
In the area of the external inguinal ring, a small incision is made, while retreating from the base of the penis by one centimeter. As soon as the skin and subcutaneous tissue are dissected, the spermatic cord is found and its vein is ligated. Subsequently, blood from the testicle begins to flow through the superficial veins.
Endoscopicoperation
This technology for the treatment of varicocele of the left testicle is a real breakthrough in surgery. Instead of an incision, punctures of five millimeters are made. The first puncture is carried out in the navel area, a miniature television camera is inserted through it, which is connected to a video monitor. On its screen, the surgeon can see everything necessary in the area of operation.
Make two more punctures and insert scissors and miniature clamps through them. With the help of these tools, the testicular veins and artery are isolated from under the peritoneum. Then the surgeon puts titanium brackets on the testicular veins or ties them with a surgical thread. The operation lasts about thirty minutes.
Microsurgical testicular revascularization
The operation helps to restore the normal blood supply to the testicle. In this case, his vein is transplanted into the epigastric vein, which allows the normal outflow of blood from the testicle to be restored.
Why is there pain after surgery?
After the operation was performed, the patient must stay in the hospital for some time. This is necessary to avoid complications, although this happens quite rarely thanks to modern methods of treating varicocele. In 90% of cases, the pain that may bother you after surgery disappears fairly quickly.
In 10% of cases after varicocele surgery, the left testicle hurts along the spermatic cord. This may be due to an early postoperative complication - lymphostasis of the left half of the scrotum. It occurs due to the ligation of the lymphatic vessels. In this case, a second visit to the doctor is required.
Can varicocele be cured without surgery?
Man often asks the question: if a varicocele of the left testicle is found, is treatment without surgery a dream or a reality? Most doctors are of the opinion that only surgery helps to eliminate this disease and no medicines can cure it. However, the operation only eliminates the consequences that have occurred. Therefore, many believe that with varicocele of the left testicle, treatment with folk remedies and performing special exercises bring tangible results. But conservative methods of treatment are possible only with varicocele of the first stage. The disease of the second and third degree requires only surgical treatment.
Thus, the following exercises are effective for varicocele of the left testicle:
- Light testicular massage. It is necessary to lie on the sofa or slightly raise the pelvis, this allows for a preliminary outflow of venous blood. During the massage, the pressure should be such that there is no pain.
- Slightly rise on toes from the floor and quickly fall to the floor. This exercise is done 30 times twice a day. If you experience pain, you should stop exercising.
- You need to stand up straight, bring your legs together. Hands slowly lower down, touching the floor with your fingers. Then slowly rise up on your toes. Taking a deep breath, concentrate all your attention on the navel. The abdominal muscles below the belt should be tightened. Then they stand up abruptlyheels, relax and exhale.
Treatment with folk remedies is considered no less effective for varicocele of the left testicle:
- Fresh leaves and heads of silver wormwood are crushed and one tablespoon of sour cream or milk is added to them. Everything is mixed well, spread in gauze and applied to the problem area. This must be done for 5 days, then a break of 3 days, after which everyone repeats.
- Chamomile, chestnut flowers, willow bark, raspberry root and medicinal rue are mixed in equal proportions. Pour these ingredients into 0.5 liters of water and boil for 15 minutes. The composition should be infused for a day, and it is taken orally in the morning and evening for 150 g.
- They take three large apples, boil and insist for three hours. In this case, the container should be wrapped. After that, the apples are kneaded into gruel and filtered through a strainer. The resulting mixture should be drunk three times a day for 50 g until the condition improves.
Prevention of varicocele
To avoid this disease, preventive measures are taken, which are aimed at observing simple rules to help avoid stagnation of blood in the groin area. You should regularly warm up if the work is sedentary or you have to stand in one place for a long time. It is recommended to do daily exercises with exercises for the legs. Jogging in the morning, daily long walks are considered very useful. If possible, you should swim as much as possible in the pool or open water.
It is also best not to drink orsmoking, eating right, adding raw vegetables and fruits to your diet, and not gaining excess weight. When exercising, it is undesirable to allow the testicles to overheat due to tight underwear.
However, if these recommendations are followed, such a disease can still occur if there is a genetic predisposition. Therefore, preventive measures also include regular check-ups with an andrologist.
Prophylaxis of varicocele in a teenage boy should be done by his parents, taking care to detect this disease in a timely manner. They are obliged to explain to him the need for medical examination and timely treatment in order to avoid possible infertility in the future.
Can pregnancy occur after varicocele surgery?
This disease is considered quite specific, and many men are in no hurry to seek help, postponing a visit to the doctor until the last. But they are very worried about the question of whether they will be able to have children after the operation. With timely treatment and treatment, the chances of this are very high.
Conclusion
Thus, the varicocele of the left testicle, the photos of which help to better understand this problem, is not considered a sentence for men who dream of having children. If you go to the doctor in time and get rid of such an unpleasant disease, then the prognosis in this case will be very favorable.
