Combined bladder neck preservation and posterior musculofascial reconstruction during robotic assisted radical prostatectomy: effects on early and long term urinary continence recovery.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the effects of combined bladder neck preservation and posterior reconstruction techniques on early and long term urinary continence in patients treated by robotic assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). METHODS: Two-hundred ninety-two patients who previously underwent radical prostatectomy were retrospectively selected for a case-control study, excluding those with anastomotic strictures and significant perioperative complications and re-called for a medical follow-up visit after their consent to participate the study. They were divided in 3 different groups according to the surgical technique previously received: radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) combined with bladder neck preservation (BNP), RARP with bladder neck resection, and RARP combined with BNP and posterior musculofascial reconstruction (PRec). Functional and oncologic outcomes evaluation were integrated by a questionnaire on urinary continence status, abdominal ultrasound scan, uroflowmetry and post-void urine volume measurement. Urinary continence definition included the terms "no pad" or "safety pad". RESULTS: Two hundred thirty-two patients responded to the phone call interview and were enrolled in the study. They presented comparable age, prostate volume and BMI. Differences in comorbidities, ASA score and medications, did not influence the postoperative functional results, focused on continence outcome. Early urinary continence was achieved in 49.38% and 24.73% of patients who previously underwent RARP + BNP + PRec and simple RARP respectively (p = 0.000)as well as late 12-months urinary continence was obtained in 92.59% and 79.56% of patients.(p = 0.01). Late urinary continence in the RRP + BNP group was comparable to the result obtained in the simple RARP group. The potential effects of nerve sparing technique on urinary continence have not been evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: The combined technique of RARP + BNP + PRec seems to be effective to determine early and long term significant effects on urinary continence of patients with comparable body mass index, age and prostate volume. No statistically significant differences were found between the simple RARP and the RRP + BNP groups.

Treatment of 2-4 cm kidney stones: multicentre experience. Comparison of safety, efficacy, and costs of percutaneous nephrolithotomy and retrograde intrarenal surgery.

Introduction: The objective of this study is to compare the safety and efficacy, through the stone-free rate (SFR), as well as the costs, between retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), for 2-4 cm kidney stones. Material and methods: We analysed the data relating to RIRS and PCNL performed in 3 reference centres for kidney stones, in the period between 1/2019 and 12/2021. The total number of procedures was 130 (63 RIRS and 67 PCNL). We defined SFR as the absence of lithiasic fragments or stones <3 mm. Results were compared between 2 groups depending on the stone size: 2-3 cm stones (group 1) and >3 cm stones (group 2). Results: The duration of RIRS was 90 minutes for group 1 and 115 minutes for group 2, and for PCNL it was 135 minutes for group 1 and 145 minutes for group 2. RIRS had shorter duration with a significant difference in group 1 (p = 0.000014). SFR for RIRS was 78% for group 1 and 21% for group 2, and for PCNL it was 92% for group 1 and 81% for group 2. Therefore, there is a statistically significant difference, which is more evident for 3 cm and multiple stones (p = 0.0057 for group 1, p = 0.000146 for group 2). The difference in costs was estimated by calculating the expected costs for a single surgical procedure and the estimated cost per day for ordinary hospitalization. Conclusions: 2-4 cm stones can be safely treated with both RIRS and PCNL, but RIRS should not be chosen as an option for stones >3 cm, except in selected cases. PCNL remains the gold standard for the treatment of complex stones, especially for stones >3 cm. Risk of postoperative complications is higher in PCNL, even if this difference is not great. The costs associated with RIRS, even when recalculating with the need for new treatments, remain cheaper.

Unusual stent after ureteral substitution. A first case.

BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge this is the first case where a Silastic drain is used in ureteral surgery instead of a common urological stent. Patients coming from other institutions, especially in peripheral areas, can be treated with non conventional devices and if traditional imaging is inconclusive, computed tomography (CT) can provide valuable information to make the right diagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the unusual case of a 32F Silastic drain found inside the urinary tract in a female patient who had previously undergone ileal loop replacement of the left ureter for post-hysterectomy stricture at another Institution, and had subsequently repeated surgery due to persistent hydronephrosis. Radiological findings on plain abdominal X-ray were quite misleading, while CT allowed a correct assessment of the drain features. CONCLUSION: While double J stents of different lengths, sizes and materials are used in ureteral surgery, the use of Silastic drains has not been previously reported. In light of the present experience we don't suggest its routinely use.

Robot-Assisted, Laparoscopic, and Open Radical Cystectomy: Pre-Operative Data of 1400 Patients From The Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry.

Introduction: The Italian Radical Cystectomy Registry (RIC) is an observational prospective study aiming to understand clinical variables and patient characteristics associated with short- and long-term outcomes among bladder cancer (BC) patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC). Moreover, it compares the effectiveness of three RC techniques - open, robotic, and laparoscopic. Methods: From 2017 to 2020, 1400 patients were enrolled at one of the 28 centers across Italy. Patient characteristics, as well as preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up (3, 6, 12, and 24 months) clinical variables and outcomes were collected. Results: Preoperatively, it was found that patients undergoing robotic procedures were younger (p<.001) and more likely to have undergone preoperative neoadjuvant chemotherapy (p<.001) and BCG instillation (p<.001). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity among all patients (55%), and overall, patients undergoing open and laparoscopic RC had a higher Charlson Comorbidities Index (CCI) compared to robotic RC (p<.001). Finally, laparoscopic patients had a lower G-stage classification (p=.003) and open patients had a higher ASA score (p<.001). Conclusion: The present study summarizes the characteristic of patients included in the RIC. Future results will provide invaluable information about outcomes among BC patients undergoing RC. This will inform physicians about the best techniques and course of care based on patient clinical factors and characteristics.

Isolated polyarteritis nodosa of the genitourinary tract presenting with severe erectile dysfunction: a case report with long-term follow-up.

INTRODUCTION: Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN) is a rare necrotizing vasculitis affecting small- and medium-sized arteries of multiple organs. Spreading to the genitourinary tract is very common, with invariable involvement of kidneys or testes, but its impact on erectile function remains undetermined. AIM: We describe a case of isolated PAN of the genitourinary tract diagnosed in a young man presenting with severe erectile dysfunction (ED), debate the critical issues of the differential diagnosis, and provide the long-term follow-up outcome. METHODS: The case report profiled a 36-year-old man who presented with progressively worsening erectile function and was incidentally found to suffer from genitourinary PAN. Extensive clinical, laboratory, and instrumental investigations, including brachial artery dilation test, suggested an arteriogenic etiology for ED and excluded a systemic involvement by PAN. Management featured use of a long-term, on-demand phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor regimen for ED, and close surveillance with no immunosuppressive therapy for PAN. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical history data, brachial artery dilation test, response to PDE5 inhibitor therapy. RESULTS: After 12 months of PDE5 inhibitor therapy, the patient recovered a normal erectile function, paralleled by restored endothelial function as assessed with brachial artery dilation test. At a 5-year clinical follow-up, he continued to have full erectile ability with only occasional use of PDE5 inhibitor, and no evidence of progressive PAN was documented. CONCLUSIONS: We propose PAN as a novel cause of arteriogenic ED, report the effective therapy with PDE5 inhibitor, and confirm the good long-term prognosis of isolated genitourinary PAN without immunosuppressive treatment.

Efficacy and safety of combined oral therapy with tadalafil and alfuzosin: an integrated approach to the management of patients with lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction. Preliminary report.

INTRODUCTION: Alpha1-blockers (AB) are the first-line monotherapy for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors are the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED). Numerous studies have supposed a significant association between ED and LUTS, but a causal relationship cannot be established. AIM: The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of a combined therapy with an AB (alfuzosin) and PDE5 inhibitors (tadalafil) in patients with LUTS and ED. METHODS: This was a randomized, open-label, three-arm study. A total of 66 men complaining of ED and LUTS were included in the study. Patients were assessed at baseline and after 12 weeks of study treatment, and then underwent randomized allocation to either alfuzosin 10 mg once a day (22 patients) or tadalafil 20 mg on alternative days (21 patients), or a combination of both (23 patients). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All participants completed the erectile function domain of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) and the International Prostatic Symptom Score (IPSS). Other efficacy variables included maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and medium urinary flow rate (Qave). RESULTS: IIEF-EF tended to improve with alfuzosin alone (+15%), while it was clearly improved with tadalafil alone (+36.3%). The greatest improvement was experienced with the combination therapy (+37.6%). Improvement in Qmax was observed in all groups, but patients receiving combination therapy had greater improvement (29.6%) than patients receiving either only alfuzosin (21.7%) or only tadalafil (9.5%). IPSS was significantly improved in alfuzosin group (27.2%), was more marked with the combination therapy (41.6%), and a small increase, although not significant, was also observed with tadalafil (8.4%). CONCLUSIONS: Combined therapy improved ED and LUTS as demonstrated by the significant improvement in uroflowmetry measures and in IPSS and IIEF-EF scores. A significant improvement was also observed in quality of life assessments. The beneficial effects of tadalafil on LUTS similar to the benefits of alfuzosin on ED, although present, were smaller.

Intraoperative and postoperative complications of nephron sparing surgery: prevention and possible treatments.

Conservative surgery for renal cell carcinoma has been widely diffused and performed in the last 15 years. It showed excellent oncological results in imperative and then elective indications. A greater number of small renal lesions are now being discovered, and elective partial nephrectomy has been adopted more frequently for the treatment of such tumours. However results regarding morbidity are extremely variable in the literature and the overall complication rate after NSS ranges between 4% and 30%. Fortunately, better patient selection, operating techniques, perioperative care, and surgical experience have guaranteed a significant reduction of complication in the last decade. The purpose of this review was to assess the incidence of complications of conservative renal surgery for renal cell carcinoma and to discuss treatment modalities.

Hem-o-lok clips to control both the artery and the vein during laparoscopic nephrectomy: personal experience and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Control and division of the renal vessels is a critical step in laparoscopic nephrectomy. Although the linear cutting stapler is easy to use, a 1.7% malfunction rate has been reported, and the consequences of this failure can be serious, including often-emergency conversion to an open procedure and even death. We reviewed the purely laparoscopic nephrectomies performed in our center, in which both the renal artery and the vein were secured using only nonabsorbable polymer ligating (NPL) clips. Our purpose was to evaluate the reliability, safety, and cost-effectiveness of this surgical approach. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed our 31 laparoscopic nephrectomies performed from November 2002 to November 2005. In all the procedures, both the renal artery and the renal vein were secured using only NPL clips. For each patient, the operative time, estimated blood loss, early and late complications, and length of hospital stay were analyzed. Further, we performed a MEDLINE search for laparoscopic nephrectomies in which both the renal artery and the vein were secured using only Hem-o-lok clips. RESULTS: No renal vessel injuries, cases of clip dislodgement or slippage, or bleeding were recorded. Worthy of note, we achieved a meaningful reduction in the cost per procedure. To the best of our knowledge, renal-pedicle control exclusively with Hem-o-lok clips during purely laparoscopic nephrectomy has not been yet published. CONCLUSIONS: Any device or technique for vascular control is prone to malfunction in either open or laparoscopic surgery. The described approach is safe, reliable, rapid, and inexpensive.

Low velocity gunshot wound to the penis.

A ricocheting 30-06 calibre bullet caused a low velocity penile injury in a 54-year-old man, shearing the right corpus cavernosum and crossing the ipsilateral thigh and gluteal muscles. Prompt surgical exploration with meticulous debridement and corporeal reconstruction through a degloving incision led to excellent cosmetic and functional results.

Doppler ultrasonography in a young patient with penile Mondor's disease.

OBJECTIVE: Mondor reported the first superficial venous thrombosis on the chest wall in 1939. This condition is usually a benign and self-limited process, requiring only symptomatic treatment. Mondor's disease of the penis is an uncommon condition, which usually involves the superficial dorsal veins, it was first described by Braun-Falco in 1955. Isolated superficial dorsal vein-thrombosis was reported in 1958 by Helm et al. Since then around fifty cases have been reported. Patients experience a cord or string-like induration along the penile superficial dorsal vein, which is often painful and accompanied by localized inflammatory changes. This condition is benign and self-limited in most patients with complete resolution after 6 to 8 weeks of conservative management although sometimes surgery is indicated when it is associated with chronic or severe local pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report on a 23-year sold man with Mondor's disease of the penis following a normal sexual intercourse, who recently underwent microsurgical left varicocelectomy. RESULTS: Treatment consisted in NSAID Aulin (100 mg orally twice a day for 3 weeks) Ciproxin (500 mg orally twice a day for 10 days), Reparil 1 x 3 orally for 25 days and Lansox 30 mg orally 1 per day for 21 days. The patient was advised to abstain from sexual intercourse or masturbation until the thrombosis had completely resolved. In the follow-up visit there was the complete resolution of the disease with no evidence of superficial dorsal vein thrombosis or palpable penile plaque 30 days later. The patient was also able to have sexual intercourse without problems. CONCLUSION: Although penile Mondors' disease is rare, proper clinical diagnosis and consequent reassurance can help the patient to dissipate the anxiety and the following erectile dysfunction. Ultrasound and Doppler Ultrasonography examination was not useful for diagnosis but helped the clinician to show the patient that the disease is a benign condition.

Measurements of urinary bladder volume: comparison of five ultrasound calculation methods in volunteers.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the precision of five different calculation methods in real-time bladder volume measurement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bladders from 10 medical staff volunteers were examined. Two examinations of each subject were performed by one examiner using the same ultrasound scannet Five different calculation algorithms were used on the frozen ultrasound pictures: the prolate ellipsoid method based on the formula: volume = length x width x heigth x 0.52 on two dimensions; the double area method based on the formula: volume = ex [C1 + C2 x ln(A1) + C3 x ln(A2)] on two dimensions; The double ellipsoid method on two dimensions; the method of one dimension of the shape of the bladder outlined manually with the maximal longitudinal diameter; the method of one dimension of the shape of the bladder outlined by smooth ellipsoid with the maximal longitudinal diameter After registration of the voided volume the subjects were scanned again in order to assure complete emptying. RESULTS: Voided volumes ranged from 120 ml to 465 ml. The precision of each method was equal. Errors were not more than 25% of the voided volume. No significant improvement in accuracy for any of the methods was found. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound bladder volume calculation is an easy method for estimation of bladder volume. Errors can be reasonably accepted. Large variation, irrespective of methods, from the true bladder volume, indicates that the clinical evaluation of ultrasound bladder measurement must be interpreted with great care in some patients.

The use of prostatic intravesical protrusion correlated with uroflowmetry: a new method to measure obstruction in patients with LUTS due to BOO without using P/F studies.

OBJECTIVES: To detect obstruction in patients with LUTS suggestive of BPH comparing the prostatic intravesical protrusion detected by abdominal ultrasounds with uroflowmetry testing results with urodynamic study to make evidence of obstruction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 25 patients (mean age 67.9 years) at the first visit for BPH problems, underwent to routine examination including: abdominal ultrasound examination, TRUS, uroflowmetry IPSS and QoL questionnaires and urodynamic evaluation. We evaluated the degree in mm of prostatic intravesical protrusion by ultrasounds with a bladder volume between 150-220 cc. The degree of protrusion was classified as mild (<5 mm), moderate (5-10 mm) and severe (>10 mm), Qmax was divided in obstructed (<10 ml/s), equivocal (10-15 ml/s) and unobstructed (>15 ml/s). Confirmation or not of obstruction was validated by urodynamic study. RESULTS: mean prostate volume was 41.4cc; IPSS 22.4; Quality of Life 4.0; post voided residual urine 97.8 cc; DAMPF 62.6; Schäfer 3.4; Qmax 9.9 ml/s. Almost all the patients with severe protrusion had obstructed flow confirmed by P/F study. Patients with severe protrusion and unobstructedflow have obstruction compensated by high pressure voiding. CONCLUSIONS: These results, despite of the numbers of patients, suggest that the degree of prostatic protrusion measured by abdominal ultrasounds is a data that, if correlated to obstructed Qmax, can be used in the evaluation of BPH patients and their grade of obstruction.

Penile metastasis from primary transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis: first manifestation of systemic spread.

BACKGROUND: Almost one-third of all penile metastases are detected at the same time as a primary tumor, whereas the remaining two-thirds are detected a mean of 18 months after the discovery of the primary tumor. Cutaneous metastasis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is extremely rare and generally accepted as the late manifestation of a systemic spread. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the first case of simultaneous penile and lung metastases from a primary TCC of the renal pelvis in a 76-year-old man, that occurred 8 years after a left nephroureterectomy. CONCLUSIONS: This case report underscores the importance of physical examinations of the skin of patients who undergo surgical procedures for TCC from bladder as well as from the upper urinary tract, including those seemingly without metastatic disease, because of the possibility of skin and penile metastatic spread.

Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) of the kidney: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A case of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor (PNET) of the kidney in a 27-year-old woman is presented. Few cases are reported in the literature with a variable, nonspecific presentation and an aggressive behaviour. In our case, a radical nephrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed and there was no residual or recurrent tumour at 24-month follow-up. METHODS: The surgical specimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin embedded. The sections were stained with routinary H&E. Immunohistochemistry was performed. RESULTS: The immunohistochemical evaluation revealed a diffuse CD99 positivity in the cytoplasm of the neoplastic cells. Pankeratin, cytokeratin AE1/AE3, vimentin, desmin, S100, cromogranin were negative. The clinical presentation and the macroscopic aspect, together with the histological pattern, the cytological characteristic and the cellular immunophenotype addressed the diagnosis towards primary PNET of kidney. CONCLUSIONS: Since sometimes it is difficult to discriminate between PNET and Ewing's tumour, we reviewed the difficulties in differential diagnosis. These tumors have a common precursor but the stage of differentiation in which it is blocked is probably different. This could also explain their different biological behaviour and prognosis.

Cardiovascular parameter changes in patients with erectile dysfunction using pde-5 inhibitors: a study with sildenafil and vardenafil.

Sildenafil is the most prescribed oral agent for patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Vardenafil is a new phosphodiesterase type 5 (Pde-5) inhibitor that was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration last year to treat patients with ED of various causes. Both of these Pde-5 inhibitors have vasodilating properties and effects on blood pressure (BP), and like nitrates, they work through the nitric oxide cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of these Pde-5 inhibitors on BP and heart rate (HR) in normotensive men with ED by a crossover comparison. Thirty-five patients with ED were enrolled to evaluate and compare the effect of sildenafil (50 mg) and vardenafil (10 mg) on BP and HR. At the screening (baseline [B]) visit, sitting systolic blood pressure (B-SBP), diastolic blood pressure (B-DBP), and HR were measured. We performed a multiple administration for both drugs and, therefore, multiple measurements of BP and HR changes, 3 doses a week, on alternate days, late in the afternoon, and on an empty stomach. B-SBP, B-DBP, and HR were recorded before each 50-mg sildenafil dosing and after 30, 60, 120, and 240 minutes. Data were averaged over the 4 time points and compared with the baseline values obtained before each dosing. After a 3-week wash-out period, patients were crossed over to vardenafil (10 mg) with the same study design. After administration of both drugs, we observed a statistically significant decrease of BP and an increase of HR. On average, sildenafil caused a decrease of SBP ranging from 5.1 +/- 3.9 mm Hg during the first dosing to 4.7 +/- 4.2 mm Hg during the third dosing, DBP ranged from 4.4 +/- 4.9 to 4 +/- 4.1 mm Hg, and HR increased 1.8 +/- 2.0 bpm (first dose) and 1.2 +/- 0.9 bpm (third dose). With vardenafil, we recorded a greater variation for SBP and DBP. SBP decreased from 8.02 +/- 8.0 mm Hg during the first dosing to 5.4 +/- 5.5 mm Hg during the third dosing, whereas DBP decreased from 6.6 +/- 7.2 to 5.0 +/- 5.3 mm Hg, respectively. Recorded HR showed an increase of 3.1 +/- 3.2 bpm (first dose) and 2.4 +/- 2.3 bpm (third dose). After the first vardenafil administration, we recorded fainting episodes in 3 patients because of a decrease in BP greater than 20 mm Hg. Two of the patients were in therapy with doxazosin for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Cardiovascular response was not significantly different after the first dose between the 2 treatments. Vardenafil demonstrated clinically significant differences (fainting) with respect to sildenafil only during the first doses. We suggest that before starting therapies with Pde-5 inhibitors, particularly with the newer ones, that baseline cardiovascular parameters are measured and monitored, especially during the first dose, because of the presence of a "first dose effect." Moreover, it is necessary to pay particular attention to those patients in treatment with other drugs that could have a synergistic hypotensive effect as a result of vasodilation potentiation.

Concordance and clinical significance of uncommon variants of bladder urothelial carcinoma in transurethral resection and radical cystectomy specimens.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concordance and prognostic role of histologic variants of bladder urothelial carcinoma in transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) and radical cystectomy (RC) specimens. METHODS: Clinicopathologic information available at the time of RC and follow-up data from 4110 RC specimens, collected between January 2000 and December 2009 at 17 tertiary referral centers were retrospectively analyzed and evaluated for the presence or absence of uncommon variants of bladder urothelial carcinoma. The presence or absence of uncommon variants of bladder urothelial carcinoma was evaluated on previous TURBT specimens of patients undergoing RC. Cox regression was used to assess the impact of these parameters on cancer-specific survival, and the Kaplan-Meier test for disease-free survival was plotted for survival estimate. RESULTS: Of 4110 patients, 579 were found to have uncommon variants of bladder urothelial carcinoma at RC (14.1%), whereas 266 (6.4%) at TURBT. A lack of agreement about uncommon variants was observed between TURBT and RC specimens in the entire population (P <.001). The presence of uncommon variants at TURBT was associated with an increased risk of pathologic upstage (hazard ratio, 3.24; confidence interval, 1.19-6.37; P <.003) and significant decrease in cancer-specific survival and recurrence-free survival (P <.001). CONCLUSION: Although the concordance of presence of uncommon histologic variants of urothelial bladder carcinoma between TURBT and RC is low, the presence of uncommon histologic variants of urothelial bladder carcinoma at TURBT is associated with a less favorable clinical outcome.

[Endoscopic resection. Aspects of technique and optimization of outcomes. Current indications to PDD-guided resection]. / Resezione endoscopica. Elementi di tecnica e ottimizzazione dei risultati. Indicazioni attuali alla resezione guidata in PDD.

Trans-Urethral Resection (TUR) of bladder tumors is the gold standard to make the correct diagnosis and remove all visible lesions. The strategy of resection depends on the size of the lesion. Small tumors can be resected en bloc, while larger tumors should be resected separately in fractions to obtain a correct pathological diagnosis. Random biopsies from normal-looking mucosa should be performed in patients with positive urinary cytology and absence of visible tumor in the bladder. As a standard procedure, cystoscopy and TUR are performed using white light. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) is most useful for detecting CIS, and therefore should be restricted to those patients with a suspected high-grade tumor.

Role of renospermatic basal reflow and age on semen quality improvement after sclerotization of varicocele.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between renospermatic basal reflow at color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) evaluation and the improvement in seminal quality after sclerotization of varicocele, and the role of patients' age. No clear predictive factors are available for selecting patients who will show a better seminal improvement after varicocele correction. METHODS: Between 2002 and 2008 we selected 113 patients with left unilateral varicocele, meeting the criteria of low sperm density, no endocrinological failures and no varicocele recidivating. Varicocele correction was performed using the retrograde sclerotization technique or, if not possible, the anterograde one. Patients underwent a physical examination, follicle-stimulating hormone assessment, sperm analysis (density, motility, and morphologic analysis), scrotal ultrasound, and CDU evaluation. Patients were divided into 5 groups using the CDU classification (Sarteschi). Three months postoperatively, they were assessed with the same protocol. Mean age was 32.2 years. RESULTS: We found improvement in seminal quality among the entire population. We found no significance in differences among semen quality improvement in patients of different ages. Patients with basal renospermatic reflow at preoperative CDU evaluation (groups 3, 4, and 5) showed a better improvement in sperm density (+139%) than patients with no basal reflow (groups 1 and 2; +61%). CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a basal reflow at preoperative CDU is a strong predictive factor of a better seminal quality improvement after varicocele correction. On the contrary, patient's age showed no significant relationship.