What should be paid attention to after varicocele surgery?

Written by Chen Feng
Urology
Updated on September 25, 2024
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The precautions to take after varicocelectomy surgery are as follows: 1. After the surgery, it is important to keep the surgical incision clean and dry to reduce the chances of infection. 2. In the postoperative diet, eat lightly, consuming more fresh vegetables and fruits, and moderately include protein-rich foods such as lean meat, fish, eggs, and milk. Protein supplementation is beneficial for the healing of the surgical incision. 3. Rest is crucial after surgery. Generally, it is advised to rest in bed, avoid standing for long periods, and refrain from extensive walking. Extended standing may cause discomfort and swelling of the scrotum, so more bed rest is recommended.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What does it mean when varicose veins occasionally have blocked blood flow?

The so-called varicose veins are caused by blood circulation blockages, which likely refers to local thrombus formation, leading to feelings of congestion in lower limbs, or caused by compression from above, such as tight clothing, exacerbating the obstruction of blood flow. This might result in increased surface tension of varicose veins in the lower extremities. Additionally, there might be some pain upon pressing, or even spontaneous pain. In such cases, differentiated treatment is required. For instance, if the issue is due to compressive clothing, like tight-knee socks or pants legs that are too tight, simply relieving the pressure should suffice. However, if a thrombus has formed causing increased local tension, pressing or massaging must be strictly avoided, as there is a risk the thrombus might dislodge and potentially lead to pulmonary embolism.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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What are the symptoms of varicocele?

If the patient has mild varicocele, they often have no symptoms and it is not easily detected; in such cases, no special treatment is needed. However, with moderate or severe varicocele, the patient may experience a dragging pain in the testicles, especially after intense physical activity, prolonged sitting, or standing, which makes the pain more pronounced. During a physical examination, twisted, worm-like clusters of veins can be felt within the scrotum. Patients with varicocele should undergo further routine semen analysis to assess if the semen quality is affected. If sperm quality is impacted, it could lead to a decline in male fertility, and surgical treatment should be considered when necessary.

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Written by Zhang Xue Min
Vascular Surgery
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What happens if varicose veins worsen?

Varicose veins, when they worsen, can lead to changes in the skin, including thickening of the skin which feels woody to the touch. Additionally, the skin may exhibit pigmentation that can be severe enough to resemble the black color of a belt. More seriously, ulcers can develop, typically near the inner ankle, though they occasionally appear in other locations. These ulcers are referred to medically as “boot ulcers” and are commonly known among the general population as “continuous sore legs.” In extreme cases, these ulcers may persist for many years without healing and could potentially become malignant.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Can bilateral varicocele be cured?

After the occurrence of varicocele, some patients may experience a feeling of heaviness and pain in the scrotum, which is often more apparent after prolonged standing, sitting, or intense exercise, and gradually alleviates after lying down and resting. During physical examination, tortuous veins similar to earthworms can be felt inside the scrotum. A color Doppler ultrasound examination is needed for further clarification. For bilateral varicoceles, it is currently curable. The main treatment method is surgical intervention, such as laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic veins on both sides. This surgical approach is a minimally invasive procedure and the surgical outcomes are quite definite. Generally, a recovery period of 3-6 months after surgery is expected before complete recovery.

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Written by Wang Shuai
Urology
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Symptoms of varicocele in the right spermatic cord

If it is a mild varicocele, most patients have no discomfort symptoms and it is not easily detected. If the varicocele reaches a moderate or even severe level, the patient may experience a sensation of dragging pain in the right testicle and a lax scrotum, especially after long periods of sitting, standing, or intense exercise. The pain and dragging sensation in the testicle will become more pronounced. However, the symptoms will gradually ease after lying down and resting. If varicocele persists for a long time, it can lead to a decline in sperm quality, causing male infertility, and can even result in testicular atrophy. If the above symptoms are present, it is necessary to promptly go to the hospital for an ultrasound examination to determine the diameter of the spermatic vein. A routine semen analysis may be necessary if there is a decline in semen quality. If needed, surgery may be required for treatment.