Association Between Left Sided Inguinal Hernia and Varicocele

Abstract

Objective:The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between left sided inguinal hernia and varicocele.Method:Between July and October 2022, 60 patients with left inguinal hernia (group 1) and 60 patients without hernia (group 2, control group) were included in our prospective study. Those with a history of right inguinal hernia, left epididymoorchitis, scrotal surgery or inguinal hernia surgery were not included in the study. The patients were evaluated for the presence of left varicocele. Grade of the varicocele, the diameters of the pampiniform plexus veins, and the neck diameter of the hernia were measured.Results:There were 120 male patients in our study (group 1 n=60, group 2 n=60). While the age range of the patients with hernia was 23-60 years (mean age: 36±8.4 years), the age range of the patients without hernia was 20-58 years (mean age: 33±9.5 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of age distribution (p=0.89). While the incidence of varicocele was 58.3% (35/60) in group 1, it was 23.3% (14/60) in group 2 [relative risk 2.5 (95% confidence interval (CI) (1.507, 4.147)] and odds ratio of 4.6 [95% CI (2.091, 10.118)]. While the median grade of varicocele was 1 in group 1, it was 0 in group 2, and a statistically significant difference was found (p<0.001). Diameters of pampiniform plexus veins were found to be significantly larger in group 1 [2.402, standard deviation (SD)=0.586 vs 1.867, SD=0.375, p<0.001].Conclusion:The risk of varicocele increases in patients with left sided inguinal hernia.

Keywords

• infertility
• inguinal hernia
• hernia
• ultrasound
• varicocele