[Outcome of posterior anorectal myectomy for the treatment of idiopathic chronic constipation]. / Resultados de la miectomía anorrectal posterior en el tratamiento del estreñimiento crónico idiopático.

OBJECIVES: The aim of this study is to assess the outcome of surgery (Lynn's myectomy) in patients with chronic persistent constipation and failure of medical treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive study of patients with severe chronic constipation treated by posterior anorectal myectomy (Lynn's technique). We report data from the last 15 years, with a minimum postoperative follow-up of one year. Patients included in the study suffered from a long-term constipation refractory to medical management. Data regarding contrast enema, anorectal manometry and rectal biopsy were recorded. The procedure's outcome is classified following clinical criteria: Asymptomatic: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence and with no medical treatment; Improvement: >3 bowel movements per week, with no soiling/incontinence but using laxatives occasionally. RESULTS: Nineteen myectomies were performed (median age of 8.47 years). Median time of constipation before surgery was 7.89 years. Rectal biopsy findings: 10 with ganglion cells, 4 without ganglion cells and other abnormalities in 5. Anorectal manometry was performed in 6 patients, 4 presented rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Four patients were diagnosed of Hirschsprung's disease (1 was asymptomatic after myectomy, 2 needed further surgery and 1 was lost in follow-up). Of the remaining 15 patients, 8 were asymptomatic (53.3%), 4 experienced improvement (26.6%) and 1 without clinical changes is on pelvic floor physiotherapy. Two were lost in follow-up. There were no other postoperative complications after long term follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Lynn's myectomy is an effective and safe procedure in patients suffering from persistent chronic constipation despite of medical treatment. It is also the definitive treatment for patients with ultrashort-segment Hirschsprung's disease.

OBJETIVO: Evaluar los resultados clínicos del tratamiento quirúrgico de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico incontrolable con tratamiento médico. MATERIAL Y METODOS: Estudio descriptivo de pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo tratados mediante miectomía anorrectal posterior (técnica de Lynn). Se recogen los resultados de los últimos 15 años, con periodo de seguimiento postoperatorio mínimo de 1 año. Se incluyen pacientes con larga historia de estreñimiento, refractarios a tratamiento médico. Pruebas complementarias: enema opaco, manometría anorrectal y biopsias rectales. El resultado clínico de la técnica se clasifica según los siguientes criterios: Curación: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/encopresis y sin necesidad de tratamiento médico; Mejoría: >3 movimientos intestinales por semana, sin incontinencia/encopresis y con necesidad de laxante. RESULTADOS: Se realizaron 19 miectomías (edad media de 8,47 años). Tiempo medio de estreñimiento previo de 7,89 años. Los hallazgos en la anatomía patológica fueron: presencia de células ganglionares en 10, ausencia de células ganglionares en 4 y otras alteraciones en 5. Manometría en 6 pacientes, 4 presentaron reflejo inhibitorio anal. Cuatro pacientes se diagnosticaron de enfermedad de Hirschsprung (uno se curó con la miectomía, dos precisaron cirugía correctora y uno no acudió a revisiones). En los 15 restantes, cumplieron criterios de curación 8 pacientes (53,3%), 4 mejoraron (26,6%), 1 sin mejoría sigue tratamiento fisioterápico. Dos pacientes no continuaron las revisiones. No se registró incontinencia fecal ni otras complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: La miectomía de Lynn es un procedimiento eficaz y seguro para los pacientes con estreñimiento crónico severo refractario al tratamiento médico. También resulta el tratamiento definitivo en la enfermedad de Hirschsprung de segmento ultracorto.

[First results of the orchiopexy via scrotal approach]. / Primeros resultados de la orquidopexia vía escrotal.

PURPOSE: We present our first results with the technique described by Bianchi and Squire in 1989 for the surgical treatment of undescended testis by scrotal incision as an alternative to the traditional inguinal approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective study of patients operated with the diagnosis of cryptorchidism with scrotal orchidopexy from October 2008 through July 2009. INCLUSION CRITERIA: patients with inguinal palpable testis, scrotal orchidopexy, testicular position was assessed at 6 months and/or one year after surgery. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Retractile testes were excluded. We studied the preoperative localization of the testis, the average surgical time, presence or absence of the processus vaginalis, conversions to the traditional inguinal orchiopexy, complications and location of six months and one year after surgery. RESULTS: A total of 50 orchidopexy were performed in 39 patients during this period. Aged between 1 and 12 years (mean 5 years, median 4 years). Were located in the intraoperative exam under anesthesia, fifteen testes in the inguinal canal and 35 in the external inguinal ring. Operative times ranged from 15 to 60 minutes (mean 34 minutes). The processus vaginalis was patent in 25 procedures (50%) and were ligated via the scrotal incision. Two patients required conversion to a traditional inguinal approach. All testes were satisfactorily positioned in the scrotum and there were no cases de testicular atrophy or ascent, hernia o hydrocele formation with followup that ranged from 6 months to 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of orchiopexy with scrotal approach is a safe, well tolerated and reliable method.

Resultados preliminares en la corrección del pectus excavatum con técnica de Welch modificada por Acastello / Preliminary results in the correction of the pectus excavatum with the acastello modified welch technique

Introducción. Las malformaciones congénitas de la pared torácicason un grupo heterogéneo de patología que pueden afectar a los cartílagoscostales, las costillas, el esternón y las escápulas y clavículas. Dentro del tipo I se encuentra el pectus excavatum el cual se caracterizapor la depresión o desplazamiento en sentido posterior del esternón, produciendo una disminución de la distancia entre éste y la columna vertebral. Para su corrección hemos utilizado la técnica de Welch modificada por Acastello, la cual consiste en una resección parcial de losc artílagos costales y la colocación de par de barras o placas preesternales las cuales se fijan unilateralmente en cada hemitórax a nivel lateral y en forma conjunta a nivel esternal. Materia y métodos. Desde octubre del 2008 hasta marzo de 2011hemos valorado a 108 pacientes con malformaciones congénitas de la pared torácica. De los cuales 47 pacientes (el 44%) correspondieron alpectus excavatum. Se realizaron 12 toracoplastias de Welch modificadas por Acastello para la corrección de los mismos. Resultados. En todos los pacientes se han implantado barras preesternales. No se han presentado complicaciones intraoperatorias, la corrección de la deformidad fue muy satisfactorias tanto objetiva como subjetiva para los pacientes, con un seguimiento de 1 mes a 27 meses del periodo postoperatorio. Conclusiones. La toracoplastia de Welch modificada por Acastello es una muy buena opción para la corrección del pectus excavatum, desde el punto de vista estético da muy buenos resultados y presenta escasa morbilidad, la cual se limita a la pared (AU)

Background. Congenital malformations of the chest wall are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the costal cartilage, ribs, sternum, scapula and clavicle. The pectus excavatum is characterized by a posterior depression of the sternum. Acastello-Welch technique consists in a partial resection of the costal cartilages adding some bars or plates unilaterally fi xed to the sternum in each hemithorax Materials and methods. From October 2008 to March 2011 we evaluated 108 patients with congenital malformations of the chest wall. Forty-seven patients (44%) had a pectus excavatum and 12 were treated with Acastello-Welch technique. Results. There were no intraoperative complications. After a mean follow up of 27 months, correction of the deformity was very satisfactory both objective and subjective for patients. Conclusions. The Welch thoracoplasty modified by Acastello is a good option for the correction of the pectus excavatum associating little morbidity and good esthetic outcomes (AU)

Primeros resultados de la orquidopexia vía escrotal / First results of the orchiopexy via scrotal approach

Objetivo. Evaluar nuestros resultados con la técnica de orquidopexia mediante incisión escrotal, descrita por Bianchi y Squire en 1989para el tratamiento quirúrgico del testículo no descendido, como alternativa a la técnica estandarizada de doble incisión mediante abordaje inguinal. Material y métodos. Estudio prospectivo de pacientes intervenidos con el diagnóstico de criptorquidia mediante orquidopexia escrotal, desde octubre de 2008 hasta julio del 2009. Criterios de inclusión: pacientes con testículo palpable en región inguinal, orquidopexia víaescrotal realizada por el mismo cirujano y control de la posición testicular a los 6 meses y/o al año de la cirugía. Se excluyeron los testículos retráctiles. Se analiza: localización preoperatoria del testículo, duración de lacirugía, presencia o ausencia del conducto peritoneo-vaginal, reconversiones a la técnica inguinal, complicaciones y localización a los seis meses y al año de la cirugía. Resultados. Durante este periodo se han realizado un total de 50orquidopexias en 39 pacientes, de edades comprendidas entre 1-12 años (..) (AU)

Purpose. We present our first results with the technique described by Bianchi and Squire in 1989 for the surgical treatment of undescended testis by scrotal incision as an alternative to the traditional inguinal approach. Materials and methods. Prospective study of patients operated with the diagnosis of cryptorchidism with scrotal orchidopexy from October 2008 through July 2009.Inclusion criteria: patients with inguinal palpable testis, scrotalorchidopexy, testicular position was assessed at 6 months and / or one year after surgery. All procedures were performed by the same surgeon. Retractile testes were excluded. We studied the preoperative localization of the testis, the average surgical time, presence or absence of the (..) (AU)

[Preliminary results in the correction of the pectus excavatum with the Acastello modified Welch technique]. / Resultados preliminares en la corrección del pectus excavatum con técnica de Welch modificada por Acastello.

BACKGROUND: Congenital malformations of the chest wall are a heterogeneous group of diseases affecting the costal cartilage, ribs, sternum, scapula and clavicle. The pectus excavatum is characterized by a posterior depression of the sternum. Acastello-Welch technique consists in a partial resection of the costal cartilages adding some bars or plates unilaterally fixed to the sternum in each hemithorax. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2008 to March 2011 we evaluated 108 patients with congenital malformations of the chest wall. Forty-seven patients (44%) had a pectus excavatum and 12 were treated with Acastello-Welch technique. RESULTS: There were no intraoperative complications. After a mean follow up of 27 months, correction of the deformity was very satisfactory both objective and subjective for patients. CONCLUSIONS: The Welch thoracoplasty modified by Acastello is a good option for the correction of the pectus excavatum associating little morbidity and good esthetic outcomes.

Diabetes mellitus tipo 1 y ganglioneuroma retroperitoneal / Onset of diabetes type 1 and retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma

El ganglioneuroma es un tumor poco frecuente, benigno, perteneciente al grupo de los tumores neuroblásticos periféricos, que aparece sobre todo en la infancia. Los tumores procedentes de la cresta neural abarcan un amplio espectro de neoplasias que incluyen formas benignas (ganglioneuroma) y formas malignas (neuroblastoma). El ganglioneuroma puede proceder de un neuroblastoma diferenciado o puede ser diagnosticado deforma primaria. Aunque la mayoría de los ganglioneuromas se descubren de forma casual, pueden originar manifestaciones clínicas por la compresión de estructuras vecinas o por su actividad metabólica intrínseca. Presentamos un caso de ganglioneuroma retroperitoneal diagnosticado incidentalmente en una niña de 6 años de edadc on sintomatología clásica de diabetes mellitus (poliuria, polidipsia y pérdida ponderal) (AU)

Introduction: A ganglioneuroma is an uncommon tumor, which belongs to the peripheral neuroblastic tumors, which appear mainly during childhood. Tumors of neural crest originin clude a broad spectrum of neoplasias ranging from benign (ganglioneuroma) to malignant tumors (neuroblastoma).The ganglioneuroma might evolve from differentiating neuroblastoma or may be diagnosed as a primary manner. Although most of ganglioneuromas are discovered incidentally, they may originate clinical manifestations due to the compression of neighboring structures or by an intrinsic metabolic activity. Case report: We present a case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma incidentally discovered in a 6 years girl with classic sintomatology of type 1 diabetes (polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss) (AU)

Perforación duodenal neonatal espontánea / Spontaneous duodenal perforation in the neonate

No disponible

[Urodynamic evaluation of experimental bladder augmentation with seromuscular colocystoplasty]. / Evaluación urodinámica de ampliación vesical experimental mediante colocistoplastia.

INTRODUCTION: The use of de-epithelialized intestinal segment can avoid the complications associated of use to bowel segments for bladder augmentation. OBJECTIVE: We designed an experimental model New Zealand rabbit with previously reduced bladder capacity, and afterward we performed augmentation cystoplasty with urodynamics comparative effectiveness demucosalized and conventional colocystoplasty techniques. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In thirty-six male New Zealand rabbits fifty percent reduction cystoplasty was carried out. A month later the animals had bladder augmentation. They were randomly divided in two groups: 18 rabbits (group 1) underwent conventional colocystoplasty. In 18 rabbits (group 2) autoaugmentation procedure and demucosalized colocystoplasty was performed. All animals were sacrificed at 8 weeks of bladder augmentation. Urodynamics studies were practiced at beginning of each operation in all of them. RESULTS: Nine rabbits died and twenty-seven were evaluated: 14 rabbits group-1 and thirteen of group-2. The average increase in bladder capacity was 63% in group-1 under conventional colocystoplasty and 17% in group-2 demucosalized colocystoplasty. Average compliance improved to 141% in group-1 and 38% in group-2. CONCLUSIONS: In this study with "small bladder" New Zealand rabbit, the seromuscular colocystoplasty has poor urodynamics result in improving capacity and compliance bladder but conventional colocystoplasty has result effective.

Estudio comparativo de funcion renal diferencial mediante DMSA y MAG-3 en uropatías congénitas unilaterales / Comparative study of differential renal function by DMSA and MAG-3 in congenital unilateral uropathies

En las hidronefrosis congénitas obstructivas, el valor de la Función renal diferencial (FRD) es esencial para establecer un pronóstico o determinar la necesidad de tratamiento quirúrgico. El método más fiable para medir este parámetro es el estudio isotópico con DMSA. El MAG-3 se emplea fundamentalmente para estudiar la eliminación renal aunque en los minutos 1-3 también mide la FRD. Objetivo: Comparar los valores de la FRD obtenidos mediante DMSA y MAG-3 en uropatías congénitas unilaterales. Material y metodos: Se revisan 138 estudios isotópicos de niños entre 0 y 9 años, en los últimos 3 años: 67 casos de uropatía obstructiva unilateral (estenosis pieloureteral y megauréter), y 71 con uropatía no obstructiva unilateral (reflujo vesicoureteral, hipoplasia renal y duplicidad). En todos ellos se realizaron tests pareados con DMSA y MAG3 protocolizado. Ambas series se dividieron en 4 grupos: 1) FRD 50 por ciento. Se calculó, el coeficiente de correlación entre las medidas de la FRD obtenidas por DMSA y MAG-3, y comparación de medias para muestras apareadas empleando el test de Student. Resultados: Se observa una fuerte correlación lineal de la FRD obtenida con ambos métodos, en la serie obstructiva es de 0,96 (P < 0,01) y en la serie no-obstructiva de 0,92 (P < 0,01).Conclusiones: La FRD medidas con DMSA y MAG-3 tienen una alta correlación en la uropatías congénitas unilaterales, por lo tanto en las obstructivas; la FRD y el patrón de eliminación pueden estudiarse de forma fiable y segura con MAG-3 protocolizado, siendo innecesario el estudio complementario con DMSA, evitando radiación adicional al paciente (AU)

Apendicitis aguda. Utilidad de una vía clínica basada en la evidencia / Acute appendicitis. Usefulness of an evidenced-based clinical pathway

Objetivos. Determinar los efectos de la implantación de una vía clínica basada en la evidencia científica en pacientes pediátricos con apendicitis aguda, en un hospital de referencia de área. Material y métodos. Se estudian 229 pacientes de edades comprendidas entre 3 y 14 años, con diagnóstico anatomopatológico de apendicitis aguda, divididos en dos grupos. Un grupo prospectivo, experimental, al que se le aplicó la vía clínica (n=114), (Junio 1999-Enero 2001), frente a un grupo de control histórico, retrospectivo, formado por pacientes que recibieron tratamiento en el período inmediatamente anterior a la introducción de la vía (n=115), (Diciembre 1997-Mayo 1999). Se comparan la edad, el sexo, tipo de apendicitis, complicaciones, días de estancia hospitalaria y número de dosis de antibióticos administradas. Resultados. Los dos grupos se consideraron comparables puesto que no se demostraron diferencias significativas para las variables de edad (p=0,61), sexo (p=0,73) y tipo de apendicitis (p=0,91). La estancia media fue inferior en el grupo de la vía (4,34 versus 5,33 días) (p=0,000049) y se emplearon menos dosis de antibióticos en estos pacientes (media: 11,17 frente a 16,13 dosis) (p=0,000000). Se presentaron 22 complicaciones, 6 en el grupo de la vía y 16 en el retrospectivo (p=0,09).Conclusiones. La reducción de la estancia hospitalaria y del número de dosis de antibióticos administradas demuestran la utilidad y rentabilidad de la vía clínica. La menor incidencia de complicaciones confirma su seguridad (AU)

Grado de satisfacción y mejoría radiologica en pacientes con deformidad torácica tras cirugía correctora / The grade of satisfaction and radiological improvement in patients with chest deformity after reconstructive surgery

Se han descrito muchos métodos para la corrección quirúrgica de las deformidades de la pared torácica anterior, siendo el más empleado el de Ravitch modificado. Revisamos las historias clínicas de 15 pacientes con deformidad torácica corregida quirúrgicamente entre 1991 y 1999, comparando las fotografías, imágenes de TAC e índices de Haller pre y postoperatorios. La técnica de Ravitch modificada se empleó en 14 casos y la de Nuss en uno. Se hizo una encuesta postoperatoria para conocer el grado de satisfacción de los pacientes con el tratamiento quirúrgico realizado. De nuestros 15 pacientes, 14 eran varones. La edad media en el momento de la cirugía fue de 11 años (rango: 4-17 años). Nueve pacientes (60 por ciento) presentaban pectus excavatum y seis (40 por ciento) pectus carinatum. Las fotografías y tomografías computadorizadas postoperatorias mostraron un contorno torácico anterior sin depresión ni protrusión en todos los casos. La media de los índices de Haller pre y postoperatorios pasó de 4,75 (rango: 2,8-7,7) a 3,12 (rango: 2,4-3,7). El grado de satisfacción con el resultado quirúrgico fue alto en el 80 por ciento de los pacientes. Esta serie, aunque limitada, demuestra el alto grado de satisfacción de los pacientes tratados quirúrgicamente de su deformidad torácica. (AU)

[Acute appendicitis. Usefulness of a evidence-based critical pathway]. / Apendicitis aguda. Utilidad de una vía clínica basada en la evidencia.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of an evidence-based clinical pathway for acute appendicitis in paediatric patients at a tertiary hospital. METHODS: We studied 229 patients with an age range from 3 to 14 years, with a pathological diagnosis of acute appendicitis divided in two groups. A prospective, experimental clinical pathway group of children (n = 114), (June 1999-January 2001) was compared with a historical control prepathway group of patients treated by conventional means in the previous years, (n = 115), (December 1997-May 1999). Age, gender, type of appendicitis (uncomplicated/complicated), length of hospitalisation, number of antibiotics doses supplied and rates of complications, were compared between pathway and and control patients. RESULTS: There were no differences in age (p = 0.61), gender (p = 0.73), either the number of complicated/uncomplicated appendicitis (p = 0.91) between the two groups. The average duration of hospitalisation was significantly shortened in pathway group (4.34 versus 5.33 days) (p = 0.000049) and the number of antibiotics doses were reduced from 16.13 to 11.17 doses (p = 0.000000). The number of major complications was lower in the pathway group than in the control group (6 and 16 respectively) but there was no significative difference (p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical pathway is an efficient and safe tool for acute appendicitis because decrease the length of hospitalisation and the number of antibiotics doses supplied, while maintaining quality of care.

[Comparative study of differential renal function by DMSA and MAG-3 in congenital unilateral uropathies]. / Estudio comparativo de funcion renal diferencial mediante DMSA y MAG-3 en uropatías congénitas unilaterales.

UNLABELLED: In congenital obstructed hydronephrosis, the assessment of the differential renal function (DRF) is essential to provide a prognosis or to determine surgical treatment. The most reliable method to measure the differential renal function is the isotopic study with DMSA. The MAG-3 is employed to evaluation renal elimination, although in the minutes 1-3 it also measures the differential renal function. OBJECTIVE: We compared the estimation of differential renal function by 99Tc-dimercapto-succinic acid (DMSA) and 99Tc-mercaptoacetyltriglycyne (MAG-3) methods in congenital unilateral uropathies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the results of 138 isotopic studies of children (age range: 0-9 years) with congenital unilateral uropathies: 67 cases were obstructed and 71 non-obstructed. In all of them were carried out match tests pairs with DMSA and MAG-3. Both series were divided into 4 groups: 1) DRF < 40%, 2) DRF 40-45%, 3) DRF 46-50% and 4) DRF > 50%. The measurement differential renal function correlation by DMSA and MAG-3 were analysed. RESULTS: The coefficient of correlation was 0.96 (P < 0.01) in obstructed unilateral uropathy and 0.92 (P < 0.01) in non-obstructed serie. CONCLUSIONS: The differential renal function measured with DMSA and MAG-3 has a close correlation in congenital unilateral uropathies. Therefore in obstructed types, differential renal function and half-time elimination can be reliable and sure studied with MAG-3, being unnecessary DMSA test, avoiding additional radiation to the children.

[Satisfaction levels and radiological improvement in patients with chest deformity after reconstructive surgery]. / Grado de satisfacción y mejoría radiológica en pacientes con deformidad torácica tras cirugía correctora.

Many methods for surgical correction of anterior chest deformities has been described; the modified Ravitch's technique is the most performed. We reviewed the clinical reports of 15 patients who had corrected chest deformity from 1991 to 1999. We compared the photographies, CT images and Haller's pre and postsurgery indexes. The modified Ravitch's technique was performed in 14 cases and the Nuss's technique in one. A postoperative questionnaire was done to know the grade of satisfaction that the patients reported after surgery. Of 15 patients, 14 were male. The mean age at the moment of surgery was 11 year old (range: 4-17). Nine patients (60%) had pectus excavatum and six (40%) pectus carinatum. In all cases, the postsurgery photographies and CT images showed neither chest depression nor protrussion. The mean of Haller's pre and postsurgery indexes changed from 4.75 (range: 2.8-7.7) to 3.12 (range: 2.4-3.7). The grade of satisfaction after surgery was high in the 80% of the patients. In our limited experience, the most of the patients with anterior chest deformities are satisfied with the results of the surgical management.

[The spermatic venography in the treatment of varicocele in children]. / Importancia de la venografía espermática en el tratamiento del varicocele en la infancia.

Embolization of the left internal spermatic vein is an effective nonsurgical treatment for varicocele. We performed spermatic venography in 17 children, during embolization procedure, in the last 7 years. The venographic findings were: Reflux reno-spermatic in 14 children, Non reflux reno-spermatic in one, and two children were Mixed-reflux in both spermatic venous systems. Embolization therapy was done in 15 cases in the same act. At follow up there were successful in 11 children (74%) and persistence of varicocele in 4 cases (26%). Surgical treatment was applied primarily in 2 children and secondarily post-embolization failure in 4 cases. In this paper we address the mechanism of varicocele on basis of venographic findings, in order to determining the optimal treatment.

[Congenital prepubic sinus]. / Sinus prepúbico congénito.

Presentation of one case of Urethral Duplicity of the Blind Epispadias variant, also known as Congenital Prepubic Sinus. This form of accessory urethra is a congenital malformation which consists in a pseudofistular passage which starts at the proximity of the bladder's anterior side-though uncommunicated with it-and spreads to the skin of the pubic area where it ends. No other malformative condition was found in the comprehensive study conducted, and only the existence of repeat episodes of mucopurulent drainage material advised its removal. This manoeuvre was followed by a complete cure and, after more than two years follow-up, the patient remains asymptomatic.

[Treatment of infantile varicocele with percutaneous embolization]. / Tratamiento del varicocele infantil mediante embolización percutánea.

Nine boys, aged 11-13 years with left varicocele grade II or III, were treated by percutaneous embolization of internal spermatic vein at the General Yagüe hospital in the last four years. The procedure was performed under local anesthesia. Percutaneous selective retrograde left spermatic venography was done via the right transfemoral vein. For embolization, sclerosing agents were used in eight cases and coil in one. Follow-up ranged from six months to four years. The control clinical examination and ultrasonographic evaluation showed treatment was successful in eight cases (89%) and persistence of a left varicocele in one case (11%). No serious complications were observed and the mean duration of hospital stay was 1.6 days. The safety, efficacy and feasibility of percutaneous embolization are discussed.