In this review, we tried to systematize all the evidence (from PubMed [MEDLINE], Scopus, Cochrane Library, EBSCO, Embase, and Google Scholar) from 1993 to 2021 on the predictors of microsurgical varicocelectomy efficacy in male infertility treatment. Regarding the outcomes of varicocele repair, we considered semen improvement and pregnancy and analyzed them separately. Based on the 2011 Oxford CEBM Levels of Evidence, we assigned a score to each trial that studied the role of the predictor. We systematized the studied predictors based on the total points, which were, in turn, calculated based on the number and quality of studies that confirmed or rejected the studied predictor as significant, into three levels of significance: predictors of high, moderate, and low clinical significance. Preoperative total motile sperm count (TMSC) coupled with sperm concentration can be a significant predictor of semen improvement and pregnancy after varicocelectomy. In addition, for semen improvement alone, scrotal Doppler ultrasound (DUS) parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and bilateral varicocelectomy are reliable predictors of microsurgical varicocelectomy efficacy.

The objective was to reveal predictors for fertility recovery after varicocelectomy in subfertile men. This retrospective study recruited 93 men with clinical varicocele and pathozoospermia who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy. Stepwise discriminant analysis was performed to identify predictors of spontaneous pregnancy (SP) after surgery. ‘Clinically significant improvement’ (CSI) following varicocelectomy was defined as an increase in total progressively motile sperm count (TPMSC) by at least 12.5 million (calculated from WHO‐2010 reference values). 52% of patients showed CSI, and 28% reported SP after surgery. Patients who reported SP (group II), compared to that remained infertile (group I), were younger (27.3 ± 2.9 versus 30.2 ± 4.2 years; p < .01), had less infertility period (24.1 ± 14.0 versus 44.4 ± 32.9 months; p < .05) and had initially higher TPMSC (median (25% −75%) = 34 (11–67) versus 9.5 (0–33) mln; p < .05). The stepwise discriminant analysis showed that male age (coefficient value = −0.157), total sperm motility (0.024) and postoperative increase in TPMSC (0.010) were the significant predictors of SP. The predictive ability, sensitivity and specificity of the discriminant function were 84%, 87%, 76% respectively. This algorithm can be recommended after varicocelectomy in decision‐making on natural conception or the ART protocols usage.

Introduction and objectives: Varicocele is the most common treatable cause of male infertility. The study aimed to compare varicocelectomy efficacy in men with primary (PI) and secondary infertility (SI). Patients and Methods: Medical records of 100 men suffering from PI and SI and having varicocelectomy at the Republican Specialized Scientific-Practical Medical Center of Urology were retrospectively selected and analyzed. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group I included 58 men with PI and Group II 42 men with SI. Preoperative clinical characteristics and semen parameters before and after varicocelectomy were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: Analysis revealed that the mean age of patients of group I was significantly lower (p < 0.001) and the duration of infertility was accurately shorter (p < 0.01) than those of group II. Main semen parameters increased significantly in group I (e.g., sperm concentration increased by 50%, from 62.2 ± 8.7 to 93.5 ± 10.0 M/ml, and total motile sperm count increased by 113%, from 76.7 ± 17.1 to 163.4 ± 27.8 M p < 0.05), while in group II only rate of progressive motile sperm increased significantly (by 107%, from 13.5 ± 2.6 to 28.0 ± 5.2% p < 0.05). We identified a significant difference in varicocelectomy efficacy between group I and group II in change of total motile sperm count (by 113% vs. 74% respectively, p < 0.01). We also revealed a discrepancy between groups in correlation ratio (r) between initial and post-surgical percent of progressive motile sperm. Conclusions: Patients with SI were older and had longer infertility period. Varicocelectomy resulted in significant semen parameters improvement in patients with PI. In patients with SI, only percent of progressively motile sperm improved significantly. It indicates that advanced male age and long infertility duration may have a negative impact on varicocelectomy success.

Varicocele is one of the most common correctable cause of male subfertility. According to recent meta-analyzes of RCTs varicocelectomy, in general, leads to significant improvement in semen quality and thereby male fertility. However, varicocelectomy success rate is 55-70%, it means that 30-40% of infertile men does not experience fertility improvement after varicocelectomy. The aim of our review was to search and analyze literature data on clinical-anamnestic and laboratory-instrumental predictors that positively or negatively affect varicocelectomy efficacy. As a result of analysis, we systematized the studied predictors based on the total points calculated on the basis of number and quality of studies that confirm or reject the studied predictor as a significant, into three levels of evidence: predictors of high, moderate and low evidence levels. Predictors of high level of evidence included: initial semen parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation index, and Doppler ultrasound imaging of testicular vessels. The initial serum level of FSH and testicular volume were included in the group of predictors of moderate evidence level. At the same time, such factors as the male age and his female partner age, varicocele grade and infertility duration entered the group of predictors of low evidence level. In this way, we performed "gradation" of predictors of varicocelectomy efficacy in subfertile men based on the analysis of the evidence level of each predictor.

Introduction. Bladder neck sclerosis (BNS) is a widespread complication of the surgical treatment of prostate diseases. Nevertheless, the etiology and pathogenesis of BNC development are not well understood, the frequency and degree of iatrogenic BNS varies depending on what treatment took place before its appearance. Treatment options for BNS can vary from simple dilatation to complex surgical interventions. Clinical variants of BNS, as well as their treatment options, vary in complexity, from simple short annular contractures to obliterating stenosis, which requires a significant expansion of surgical treatment volume. The purpose of this study – is to assess the effectiveness of modern and alternative methods of prevention and treatment of BNS based on the analysis of published studies. Materials and methods. The search and analysis of publications in the databases PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, elibrary, according to the keywords, «bladder neck sclerosis», «benign prostatic hyperplasia», «bladder neck contracture», «bladder neck stenosis», «balloon dilatation», «treatment». As a result, 46 publications were selected and included in this review. Results and discussion. In this review, we highlighted the routine and alternative methods of BNS treatment. Currently, there are quite modern methods for treating prostate diseases (using robotic techniques, electrosurgical resections, and enucleations, laser enucleations, etc.), which are often complicated by secondary BNS. Nowadays, there are a lot of routine and alternative methods of treatment of secondary BNS in the urologist’s armamentarium. Routine methods include TUR and incision of the bladder neck using electric and laser energy, alternative methods include balloon dilatation, installation of a urethral stent, instillation (or intraoperative injection) of the bladder with cytostatics, hormonal drugs, derivatives of hyaluronic acid, and biomedical cell products. Conclusions. According to the literature from the listed alternative treatment methods for BNS, balloon dilatation is the most promising one. Based on the results of the literature analysis, we concluded that the use of balloon dilatation as a method of primary (least invasive) treatment and prevention of the occurrence of BNS is advisable.

Introduction. Varicocele is one of the frequently identified and corrected causes of male subfertility. However, varicocele correction results in improved sperm quality only in 60 – 70% of subfertile men. At the same time, it is not completely clear which semen parameters improve to a greater extent, and what is the proportion ofpatients with an improvement in parameters to normozoospermia.Objectives. To assess qualitative changes in semen after microsurgical varicocelectomy according to WHO 2021 Laboratory manual of semen analysis.Materials & methods. This study analysed qualitative changes in sperm in infertile men after varicocelectomy. All patients had a clinical varicocele, for which microsurgical varicocelectomy was performed. The study included 100 subfertile men with varicocele and abnormal sperm parameters.Results. In the postoperative period (after 6 months), the main semen parameters increased significantly. Also, the proportion of patients with isolated asthenozoospermia decreased by 22% (p < 0.05), the proportion of patients with oligoasthenozoospermia decreased by 14% (p < 0.05). The proportion of patients with normospermia was 35% (p < 0.0001). In patients with oligoasthenozoospermia significant improvement in sperm to normospermia was observed in 19% of cases.Conclusions. Varicocele repair leads to an improvement in the quality of the ejaculate in subfertile men with palpable varicocele and pathozoospermia, with the most significant improvement in sperm motility. However, only in a third of patients semen quality improved to normal levels. Additionally, varicocelectomy demonstrated high efficacy in patients with oligoasthenozoospermia.