The benefits of varicocele repair for achieving pregnancy in male infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Varicocele is one of the most common treatable causes of male infertility. However, the decision to perform varicocelectomy before starting a fertility program remains controversial. This study aimed to thoroughly review and analyze the benefit of varicocele repair and its impact on the success rate of a fertility program. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, and Wiley Library. The primary outcome was the pregnancy rate, and the secondary outcomes were live birth rate and surgical sperm retrieval success rate. Outcomes were compared between men who underwent treatment for a varicocele and those that did not. The pooled analysis data are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: A total of 31 articles were included in the meta-analysis. The pregnancy rate was significantly higher in the treated group (odds ratio = 1.82; 95% confidence interval: 1.37–2.41; P < 0.0001) along with the live birth rate (odds ratio = 2.80; 95% confidence interval: 1.67–4.72; P = 0.0001). The further subgroup analysis revealed a higher pregnancy rate in treated men with azoospermia, subnormal semen parameters, and normozoospermia (P = 0.04, P = 0.0005, and P = 0.002, respectively), while the live birth rate was only significantly higher in the treated men with subnormal semen parameters and normozoospermia (P = 0.001 and P < 0.0001). Treated varicocele also led to a higher sperm retrieval rate in azoospermic patients (odds ratio = 1.69; 95% confidence interval: 1.16–2.45; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Varicocele repair increased the pregnancy and live birth rates regardless the semen analysis result, along with the sperm retrieval success rate in azoospermic men. Thus, varicocele repair may be beneficial prior to joining a fertility program.