Morphological and Functional Aspects of the Human Spermatic Cord Veins

Abstract

It is well known that varicocele of the testis may lead to a damage of testicular tissue and therefore is one etiologic factor for male infertility. Successful varicocele treatment may result in preserving or restoring fertility. Antegrade sclerotherapy has proved to be safe, economical and effective (Bruns et al., 1996). The major component of this procedure is the preparation of the pampiniform plexus. After insertion of a canula into a selected vein of the plexus and fluoroscopic control showing drainage by the internal spermatic vein, a sclerosing agent (Äthoxysklerol^R) is injected in an antegrade direction. By analysis of the vascular organization of the pampiniform plexus (Ergün et al., 1994) it could be demonstrated that the testicular veins are organized in two main groups and form two vein plexus. One of these vein groups forms a tight plexus around the testicular artery, the other vein group is embedded in a large macroscopically visible section of fatty tissue. To save the testicular artery from injury during dissection, the vein group in this lateroventral compartment should be dissected for antegrade sclerotherapy.