Interventional Radiology

Varicoceles can cause pain, swelling and infertility. Embolisation is an outpatient procedure performed with local anesthesia and light sedation that safely relieves symptoms.

After numbing the skin with local anaesthetic, the interventional radiologist guides a catheter into position after which an embolic agent is used to block the vein. After the vessel has been successfully blocked, the catheter is removed and pressure is applied to prevent bleeding. Varicocoele embolisation takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes.

After the procedure:
You will be monitored for 3 to 4 hours and discharged. Most patients resume normal activities within 24 hours of the procedure. The recovery time is shorter with embolisation than with surgery.