The benefits of varicocele repair for achieving pregnancy in male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Heliyon
Ponco BirowoNur Rasyid

Abstract

Varicocele is one of the most common treatable causes of male infertility. However, the decision to perform varicocelectomy before starting a fertility program remains controversial. This study aimed to thoroughly review and analyze the benefit of varicocele repair and its impact on the success rate of a fertility program. A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Library. The primary outcome was the pregnancy rate, and the secondary outcomes were live birth rate and surgical sperm retrieval success rate. Outcomes were compared between men who underwent treatment for a varicocele and those that did not. The pooled analysis data are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. A total of 31 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the treated group (odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.37-2.41; P < 0.0001) along with the live birth rate (odds ratio = 2.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.67-4.72; P = 0.0001). The further subgroup analysis revealed a higher pregnancy rate in treated men with azoospermia, subnormal semen parameters, and normozoospermia (P = 0.04, P = 0.0005, and P = 0.002, respectively), while the live b...Continue Reading

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Citations

Apr 8, 2021·Andrology·Daria MoriniDaniele Santi
Aug 28, 2021·Journal of Clinical Medicine·Ana Paula SousaJoão Ramalho-Santos
Nov 25, 2021·International Journal of Urology : Official Journal of the Japanese Urological Association·Teppei TakeshimaYasushi Yumura

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