Varicocele is a condition in which abnormalities in the valves cause blood that should be flowing to the heart to stagnate in one place, leading to congestion and abnormal enlargement of the veins surrounding the testicles. It is known as a major cause of male infertility because the reflux of abdominal blood raises the temperature of the testicles, which can affect sperm production.

This is an interventional procedure that involves inserting a catheter into a blood vessel through a 2mm needle-sized incision in the arm, rather than making an incision in the abdominal skin like surgery. As a minimally invasive treatment under local anesthesia, it offers rapid recovery, safety, and a low risk of complications.

Neither method is absolutely superior. Embolization offers the advantage of rapid recovery without incisions, while microscopic surgery involves skin incisions but allows for the physical removal of veins. Embolization can be a good surgical alternative for those who have difficulty with general anesthesia, age groups for whom surgery is burdensome (such as adolescents and the elderly), and military personnel and office workers who require a quick recovery.

Since this is a minimally invasive treatment under local anesthesia, most patients can return to their daily lives on the same day or the following day. Light exercise is acceptable, but it is recommended to refrain from strenuous exercise, high-intensity training, smoking, drinking, and sexual intercourse for about two weeks.

Improvements in sperm count, motility, and morphology have been reported following varicocele embolization treatment, which may help improve the chances of pregnancy. However, since the success of pregnancy depends on various factors, such as the partner's condition, a comprehensive assessment is made through consultation with a specialist.

Embolization is the most essential and safe advanced medical technology used in tertiary hospitals to control bleeding in severe emergency vascular diseases, such as liver cancer chemoembolization, cerebral aneurysm rupture, abdominal aortic aneurysm, gastrointestinal bleeding, bleeding from traffic accidents, and postpartum hemorrhage. Varicocele embolization is also a proven treatment method based on the same principle, perfectly blocking only the damaged blood vessel from the inside.

Surgical incision involves directly cutting around the testicle and ligating blood vessels, which carries the risk of fatal complications such as hydrocele (fluid accumulation in the scrotum) or testicular atrophy due to damage to lymphatic vessels or arteries. In contrast, embolization enters through a blood vessel in the arm, far from the testicle, and accesses only the problematic vein from within the vessel, thereby fundamentally eliminating the risk of damage to surrounding tissues.

Yes, it is possible. Since embolization does not require general anesthesia or skin incisions, long-term hospitalization is not necessary. Patients can be discharged on the same day after a 6-hour follow-up and immediately resume their daily lives. In fact, many patients residing overseas utilize short vacations or school breaks to receive treatment quickly and without scarring before departing the country.

The right testicular vein connects smoothly and directly to the inferior vena cava, the largest blood vessel, allowing for efficient blood drainage; however, the left vein must pass through the renal vein at a right angle, making it structurally prone to blood pooling and reflux. Varicocele on the right side can also be safely treated through embolization by a skilled interventional specialist well-versed in vascular anatomy.

Varicocele itself is not directly hereditary. However, a 'constitutional vascular weakness,' such as weak valves within the veins or loose blood vessel walls, can be inherited from parents. At Mint Hospital, there have been cases where siblings underwent embolization treatment together. Therefore, if there is a family history of varicocele or varicose veins, we recommend undergoing a vascular ultrasound examination at least once, even if you have no symptoms.

Immediately after the procedure, as the swollen blood vessels contract, harden, and are absorbed, you may feel slight residual pain or stiffness for several weeks; this is a normal part of the recovery process. However, if the pain persists for several months, further differential diagnosis is necessary, as there is a possibility that other urological causes, such as prostatitis, epididymitis, or pelvic muscle tension, or neurological disorders may be present.

The effective radiation dose during embolization is an average of 1–2 millisieverts (mSv). Furthermore, there is no radiation exposure to reproductive organs such as the scrotum, which many people are concerned about, and the total exposure time for the patient is very short, within 5 seconds. This is approximately equivalent to one day's worth of natural background radiation. In addition, since Mint Hospital's embolization treatment is performed by highly experienced and skilled radiologists, the procedure time is very short, and radiation exposure is minimized by utilizing the latest low-dose advanced angiography equipment.
The radiation risk of embolization claimed by some hospitals is based on a paper derived from data from over 30 years ago, and even this paper conveys negative information by editing only a portion of the entire content. In the full context, it is stated that the amount of radiation delivered to the testicles during embolization is small, and is significantly lower at 0.69 mSV compared to the 150 mSV level that affects male infertility.

No. Currently, the efficacy of varicocele embolization treatment shows a recurrence rate (2.5%) similar to that of inguinal microsurgery, and complications such as hydroceles or testicular artery injury caused by surgery are actually fewer. In the United States and Europe, where interventional treatment is active, it is recognized as a sufficient first-line treatment.

The principle of varicocele treatment is to restore normal blood circulation by blocking or cutting away the damaged blood vessels. It treats abnormal vessels that have lost their circulatory function by using embolic substances to block them, making it a more conservative treatment than surgically ligating and removing the vessels completely.

Many people worry about the risk of blood vessels tearing because they assume platinum coils are rigid, but platinum coils are made of a soft, thread-like material. Furthermore, if a skilled physician properly positions and secures the coil, it cannot move. In addition, recently developed platinum coils are specially treated to ensure secure fixation within blood vessels, preventing them from moving or deforming.