Percutaneous retrograde varicocele embolisation using tungsten embolisation coils: a five year audit.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of percutaneous retrograde varicocele embolisation using Spirale tungsten coils over a period of five years.

Patients And Methods: Fifty consecutive patients underwent local anaesthetic day case varicocele embolisation via a right femoral approach. Venous anatomy was identified and classified. Morbidity and recurrence were recorded at three month clinical follow up.

Results: The procedurewas technically successful in 94% of the patients. The varicocele recurred in 16%, the majority of whom had complex venous anatomy. 8% of the patients complained of discomfort at follow up.

Conclusions: Although the coils used in this study have been withdrawn, a high technical success rate is described with failure being predominantly due to complex venous anatomy.