Predictive Value of Varicocele Grade and Histopathology in Simultaneous Varicocelectomy and Sperm Retrieval in Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Varicocele repair in men with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) remains a subject of debate due to inconsistent outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of microsurgical varicocelectomy on sperm recovery rates in men with NOA and to assess the role of varicocele grade and testicular histopathology in predicting postoperative outcomes. Materials and Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 78 men diagnosed with NOA and clinical varicocele who underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with simultaneous diagnostic and therapeutic testicular biopsy at the Department of Urology of the University of Ioannina between September 2013 and December 2021. Varicoceles were graded I to III based on physical examination and Doppler ultrasound. Histopathological patterns were classified as hypospermatogenesis (HYPO), early maturation arrest (EMA), late maturation arrest (LMA), or Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS). Patients were followed postoperatively at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months, with semen analyses performed according to World Health Organization guidelines to assess sperm presence. Results: At the 12-month follow-up, spermatozoa were detected in the ejaculate of 26 out of 78 patients, resulting in an overall sperm return to ejaculate rate of 33.3%. Varicocele grade significantly influenced outcomes: patients with Grade II varicoceles had the highest sperm return to ejaculate rate (45.2%, 14/31), followed by Grade III (39.1%, 9/23) and Grade I (12.5%, 3/24) (p-value < 0.05). The sperm retrieval rate (SRR) from testicular biopsies also varied with varicocele grade: Grade II had the highest SRR (54.8%, 17/31), followed by Grade III (47.8%, 11/23) and Grade I (33.3%, 8/24). Histopathological findings were significant predictors of sperm retrieval: patients with HYPO had an SRR of 84.8% (28/33) and a sperm return to ejaculate rate of 66.7% (22/33); those with LMA had an SRR of 47.1% (8/17) and a sperm return rate of 23.5% (4/17). No sperm retrieval was observed in patients with EMA (0%, 0/4) or SCOS (0%, 0/24) (p-value < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regression identified varicocele grade and histopathology as independent predictors of sperm retrieval, with higher grades and favorable histopathology associated with increased likelihood of success. Conclusions: Microsurgical varicocelectomy can induce spermatogenesis in a significant proportion of men with NOA, particularly those with higher-grade varicoceles and favorable histopathological patterns such as HYPO or LMA. Varicocele grade and histopathological findings are important predictors of postoperative outcomes and should inform patient selection and counseling. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing fertility treatments in men with NOA undergoing varicocele repair.