We need a prospective varicocelectomy trial

摘要

Controversy exists whether varicocelectomy improves pregnancy rates in couples with male infertility. Unfortunately, the majority of data come from retrospective, poorly controlled studies (1), resulting in inadequate evidence regarding the efficacy of this procedure in improving semen quality (2, 3). In addition, results from randomized, controlled trials are conflicting and methodologically of poor quality because of heterogeneous inclusion criteria, limited enrollment, and high dropout rates.