Evidence map›Paper›PMID 30955179›Full record

Observational studyJournal of endocrinological investigation2019

Left spermatic vein reflux after varicocele repair predicts pregnancies and live births in subfertile couples.

S D'Andrea, A Barbonetti, C Castellini, L Nolletti, A Martorella, E Minaldi, A V Giordano, S Carducci, S Necozione, F Francavilla and 1 more

Abstract readObservational Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in Journal of endocrinological investigation, 2019. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
0.2field-weighted citation impact, top 36% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Recent Trends in the Management of Varicocele.Journal of clinical medicine · 2025
    Review
  4. Article
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

S D'AndreaAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy. dandrea.settimio@alice.it.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5031-031X
A BarbonettiAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
C CastelliniAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
L NollettiAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
A MartorellaAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
E MinaldiAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
A V GiordanoInterventional Radiology Unit, University Hospital San Salvatore, L'Aquila, Italy.
S CarducciInterventional Radiology Unit, University Hospital San Salvatore, L'Aquila, Italy.
S NecozioneEpidemiology Division, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Italy.
F FrancavillaAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
S FrancavillaAndrology Unit, Department of Life, Health and Environment Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.
University of L'Aquila · ITSan Salvatore Hospital · IT

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeVaricocele repair (VR) is proposed to improve fertility in subfertile couples with a poor semen quality. We explored whether the disappearance of a left continuous spermatic venous reflux (SVR) at scrotal colour-Doppler ultrasound (CDUS), an objective evidence for a VR, is predictive for improved fertility outcome in subfertile couples.

methodsVR was performed by left internal spermatic vein sclero-embolisation in 88 males seeking a consultation for subfertility. Semen analysis and scrotal CDUS were evaluated before and 6 months after VR. Serum levels of FSH and total testosterone (TT) were obtained at baseline. Telephone interview was used to obtain information about fertility outcome. Significant predictors of pregnancy and live births, selected by univariate analyses, were included into multiple logistic regression models to assess independent associations.

resultsAt the adjusted model, independent significant predictors of pregnancy after VR were a disappeared SVR at CDUS (OR = 5.5, 97.5% CI 2.01-15.4; p = 0.0009) and an improved sperm total motile count (TMC) (OR = 5.5, 97.5% CI 1.4-27.9; p = 0.02). Even live births were independently associated with both disappeared left SVR at CDUS (OR = 4.3, 97.5% CI = 1.6-11.8; p = 0.003) and improved TMC after VR (OR = 4.8, 97.5% CI 1.3-24.2; p = 0.02).

conclusionThe still controversial effect of varicocele repair on fertility in subfertile couples may reside on the undefined objective methods to document a successful VR and its effect on couple fertility. The disappearance of a continuous left SVR at CDUS after VR was the objective best predictor for subsequent improved fertility in subfertile couples.

Indexed as

AdultEmbolization, TherapeuticFamily CharacteristicsFemaleHumansInfertility, MaleLive BirthMalePlastic Surgery ProceduresPostoperative ComplicationsPregnancyPregnancy OutcomePregnancy RatePrognosisRetrospective StudiesSpermatic CordFertilityLive birthPregnancySemen analysisUltrasoundVaricocele

Identifiers

PMID30955179
OpenAlexW2927263015

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.