Having a varicocele embolisation

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.

Before your procedure

We arrange for you to have some blood tests before your procedure. You have a pre-assessment appointment. This appointment is usually face to face in the clinic, but can be held online or by phone.

The doctor needs to see a list of all your medicines. This includes: 

• tablets
• inhalers
• creams
• any medicines that you buy in a pharmacy or shop, such as herbal remedies

Please bring a copy of your current prescriptions to the appointment.

Sometimes, certain medicines need to be stopped before your procedure. The IR doctor or nurse can tell you if you should stop taking any medicines. You can start taking these medicines again after the procedure, but the IR doctor or nurse will give you advice about this.

If you need a hoist (piece of medical equipment to help lift or move you safely), transport or a translator, please contact the interventional radiology (IR) department.

On the day of the procedure

We have some guidance about what to do on the day of your varicocele embolisation procedure.

Tips for the day of the procedure

Giving your permission (consent)

We want to involve you in decisions about your care and treatment. If you decide to have a varicocele embolisation, we will ask you to sign a consent form. This says that you agree to have the treatment and understand what it involves.

If you would like more information about our consent process, please speak to a member of staff caring for you.

During the procedure

A varicocele embolisation is a quick procedure, but the whole process takes 40 to 60 minutes. If we treat both sides, this will take longer. 

What happens during the procedure

1. A nurse takes you into the procedure room. At least 2 nurses, a radiographer and an IR doctor are with you at all times.
2. You lie on your back for the procedure. The nurses check your blood pressure and pulse throughout the procedure, and make sure that you are comfortable.
3. You usually have a local anaesthetic for a varicocele embolisation procedure. We clean an area on your neck or groin with antiseptic and cover it with sterile drapes (cloth-like material). Then we inject the local anaesthetic medicine to make the surrounding area numb and pain-free.
4. When your skin is numb, we carefully position a thin tube (catheter) into the testicular vein using X-ray guidance. 
5. We then use small, metal coils (loops) and sometimes a special medical foam to block the affected testicular vein.
6. When the procedure is finished, the IR doctor removes the catheter. They press gently on the area where the catheter was in place for a few minutes. This is to prevent bleeding. You have a small dressing over the site afterwards, but do not need stitches.

How the procedure feels

We inject a local anaesthetic medicine to make the area where we put in the catheter numb. You might feel a small amount of discomfort in this area or in your lower back or groin. If needed, we can give you stronger painkillers.