Varicocelectomy

Not every varicocele needs treatment. You may be a candidate for a varicocelectomy if the varicocele causes persistent pain or discomfort, if it is associated with shrinking of the testicle, or if it contributes to fertility problems; in adolescents, it may also be considered when it affects how the testicle develops.

During your consultation, Dr. Bricio, urologist (Endolapv), performs a personalized evaluation: he examines the area, may order a scrotal ultrasound and — when fertility is the concern — a semen analysis, and reviews your treatment options with you to help you decide, based on your case, whether surgery is right for you.

A varicocelectomy is performed under anesthesia, which may be general or regional, depending on your case and the surgical team's recommendation.

Through a small incision in the lower abdomen or groin — often with the help of a surgical microscope, or using a laparoscopic technique — the surgeon locates and seals the enlarged veins so that blood is redirected into healthy ones. The goal is to close off the affected veins while preserving the testicular artery and the lymphatic and sperm-carrying structures.

Afterward, you rest in a recovery room under close observation by the medical team. As an outpatient procedure, most patients return home the same day, with clear instructions and the attentive support of our team.

Everything starts with a consultation: your urologist reviews your medical history and the medications you take, examines the area, and, depending on your case, orders tests such as a scrotal ultrasound or a semen analysis to plan your treatment.

Only if your doctor instructs you to, stop medications that increase bleeding — such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or blood thinners — as far in advance as directed. Follow the fasting instructions you receive for anesthesia, and if you smoke, try to stop, since tobacco slows healing.

Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure and, if possible, to stay with you the first night. Our team in Puerto Vallarta can help you coordinate these details — especially if you are traveling from another city or from the U.S. or Canada.

After surgery, mild to moderate pain and swelling in the area are normal; in many cases these symptoms improve over the first few days with the pain medication your doctor recommends and intermittent cold packs. Many people can return to light daily activities and desk work within a few days.

You should avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting, and sexual activity for one to two weeks, as directed by your doctor. If the surgery was done for fertility reasons, changes in the semen take time to show: a semen analysis is usually ordered about three to four months later, since that is roughly how long it takes for a new generation of sperm to mature.

Go to the emergency room right away if you develop a high fever; redness, bleeding, or discharge at the incision; increasing swelling; or pain that gets worse instead of better, and notify the doctor who performed your procedure as soon as possible.

Medical reference source: Mayo Clinic.