After a varicocele embolisation
Varicocele embolisation for enlarged veins in the testicles
A varicocele embolisation is non-surgical, X-ray guided treatment for a varicocele. This is a group of enlarged blood vessels (veins) in the pouch (scrotum) around the testicle.
After the procedure, you need to rest in the interventional radiology (IR) department for about 2 to 4 hours. This is to make sure that there are no problems. A nurse explains when you can eat, drink and move around (mobilise).
If all your checks are fine, you can go home.
When you go home
Here are some tips to help you when you go home after a varicocele embolisation:
Tips for when you go home
Do
- Ask a responsible adult to take you home by car or taxi.
- Call 020 7188 2888 (Monday to Friday, 7:45am to 7pm) if you need to arrange hospital transport to take you home.
- Arrange for a responsible adult to collect you from the hospital and stay with you for 24 hours.
- Eat and drink as usual after the procedure.
- Rest for the remainder of the day and possibly for the next day, depending on how you recover.
- Take your usual pain medicine like paracetamol if you have any discomfort and follow the instructions on the packet.
- Continue taking your usual medicines as prescribed, unless the IR doctor or nurse gives you different advice.
- Avoid any exercise that involves a lot of effort or energy, or heavy lifting, for 48 hours (2 days) after the procedure.
- Remove the small dressing after 48 hours.
- Continue your usual daily activities after 48 hours, if you feel well enough.
Don't
- Do not use public transport to travel home after the procedure in case you feel unwell.
- Do not have a shower until 24 hours after the procedure.
- Do not have a bath until 48 hours after the procedure.
- Do not drive for 48 hours after the procedure and not until you feel that it is safe. This gives the puncture site where we put in the catheter during the procedure time to heal.
If you have any concerning symptoms
It is important to check the puncture site where we put in the catheter during the procedure regularly.
You might notice some bruising at the puncture site. Mild bruising is common after the procedure and there is no need to worry about this.
Bleeding or swelling is rare, but if it does happen:
- lie down
- put pressure directly on the puncture site for 10 minutes
Call 999 or go to A&E now if:
the bleeding or swelling at the puncture site continues after 10 minutes
Resource number: 1718/VER7
Last reviewed: June 2024
Next review due: June 2027
A list of sources is available on request.
