INCIDENCE AND POSTOPERATIVE OUTCOMES OF ACCIDENTAL LIGATION OF THE TESTICULAR ARTERY DURING MICROSURGICAL VARICOCELECTOMY

Abstract

The incidence of accidental testicular artery ligation in microsurgical varicocelectomy was approximately 1%. Testicular atrophy developed in 1 patient (5%). Preservation of cremasteric and/or secondary internal spermatic arteries likely contributed to a low incidence of adverse outcomes. The natural pregnancy rate was low which may be due to the high proportion of azoospermic men before surgery. It is possible that the smaller testes usually associated with azoospermia indicate smaller testicular arteries, thus posing a greater risk of accidental ligation.