Aher NB, Thothala Prabhakar PK, Thirukonda Govarthanam SK, Krishnamoorthy S. Adolescent varicocele, a Gordian knot: A comprehensive review of clinical perspectives and future directions. World J Methodol 2026; 16(1): 108384 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i1.108384]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Sriram Krishnamoorthy, Professor, Department of Urology and Renal Transplant, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, 1 Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai 600116, Tamil Nadu, India. sriramuro@gmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Andrology
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Nakul Baban Aher, Pradhyumna Koushik Thothala Prabhakar, Subash Kaushik Thirukonda Govarthanam, Sriram Krishnamoorthy, Department of Urology and Renal Transplant, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai 600116, Tamil Nadu, India
Author contributions: Aher NB conceptualized the study, conducted the literature review, and was responsible for drafting the manuscript; all authors contributed to data interpretation, critically revised the manuscript for intellectual content, and approved the final version for submission.
Conflict-of-interest statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest related to this manuscript.
Open Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Sriram Krishnamoorthy, Professor, Department of Urology and Renal Transplant, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, 1 Ramachandra Nagar, Porur, Chennai 600116, Tamil Nadu, India. sriramuro@gmail.com
Received: April 14, 2025 Revised: June 2, 2025 Accepted: August 25, 2025 Published online: March 20, 2026 Processing time: 304 Days and 2.7 Hours
Abstract
The abnormal dilatation of the spermatic veins, or varicocele, affects 14%-20% of teenagers, a proportion similar to that of adults, which peaks in late adolescence (15-19 years old). It is more common in metropolitan and developed areas, possibly due to increased access to medical attention and diagnostic resources. Treatment myths and beliefs about adolescent varicocele (AV) persist, making it a highly disputable condition to address. Concerns include whether surgical intervention is necessary for teenage varicocele and whether it enhances seminal parameters after varicocelectomy. Inadequate or delayed management may contribute to future infertility, imposing a significant public health and economic burden due to the costs associated with assisted reproductive technologies and psychosocial impacts. This minireview addresses common misconceptions about teenage varicocele and clarifies the clinical assessment, treatment, and long-term effects of varicocele in adolescents. This minireview examines and provides information on essential topics, including etiopathogenesis, evaluation, and groups of patients at risk of infertility, emphasizing the importance of testicular volume asymmetry (greater than 20%) and semen parameters in predicting future subfertility. Principles of management, indications, and choice of intervention (follow-up, surgical, and adjunctive treatment) are explored, along with treatment outcomes, to address this challenging situation. A balance between intervention and cautious follow-up is emphasized in the evidence-based suggestions for treatment strategies, which depend on the clinical examination, scrotal Doppler, and semen parameter findings. Based on testicular asymmetry, semen parameters, and symptomatology, management strategies range from conservative surveillance to surgical varicocelectomy and minimally invasive procedures like embolization. AV is a complex condition. If untreated, it can cause oligospermia, infertility, and irreparable testicular damage. Timely intervention, such as subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy, is essential after an early diagnosis is made by clinical examination supported by Doppler ultrasound and semen analysis for symptomatic, bilateral palpable, or asymptomatic unilateral varicoceles with testicular asymmetry greater than 20% and abnormal semen parameters in Tanner V boys. Long-term data indicate that patients who have had surgery have better testicular growth and semen characteristics; nevertheless, the effect on future fertility is still being studied, indicating the need for individualized treatment plans. Testicular health, with preserved reproductive potential, is maintained through proactive evaluation and care. AV can affect quality of life in addition to causing physical discomfort; worries about fertility, body image, and social stigma call for comprehensive, patient-centered care.
Core Tip: Adolescent varicocele, a complex and often controversial condition, affects up to 20% of teenage males. This minireview examines the etiopathogenesis, diagnostic challenges, and the evolving role of testicular volume asymmetry and semen analysis in informing management. By synthesizing current evidence, we provide practical, risk-stratified recommendations for observation and surgical intervention, including subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy. The article highlights critical gaps in adolescent-specific research and proposes future directions to safeguard long-term fertility and testicular health.
