The Effect of Prior Varicocelectomy in Patients With Nonobstructive Azoospermia on Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection Outcomes: A Retrospective Pilot Study
Received 5 June 2009; accepted 9 September 2009. published online 13 November 2009.
Objectives
To examine our retrospective data on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and to determine whether a history of varicocele repair in men with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) undergoing an ICSI cycle was optimizing or not.
Methods
This retrospective study was conducted on Baskent University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IVF Unit, and Department of Urology. Infertile couples suffering from NOA scheduled to an ICSI cycle, which was controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with a gonadotropin or gonadotrophin-releasing hormone-agonist protocol, selected for the study were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (n = 31) included NOA patients who had undergone prior varicocele repair, and group 2 (n = 65) included NOA patients who had not undergone varicocele repair.
Results
There was a significant difference between the 2 groups considering the sperm retrieval rate, which was higher in the varicocele repair group (sperm retrieval rate 60.81% and 38.46% respectively, P = .01). The clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate were significantly higher in the varicocelectomy group (74.2% vs 52.3% and 64.5% vs 41.5%, respectively, P <.05).
Conclusions
Varicocele repair in NOA might be considered in patients undergoing ICSI cycle.
aDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
bDepartment of Urology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Adana, Turkey
Reprint requests: Bulent Haydardedeoglu, M.D., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Cemalpasa Mah 5 Sokak Ferah Apt Kat 9 no 18 Seyhan, Adana, Turkey
ABSTRACT