📖 Our Varicocele Centre
The Varicocele Centre at Cochin Hospital AP-HP is one of the most active in the Île-de-France region for percutaneous varicocele embolization. We treat scrotal varicosities (varicoceles) via femoral venous access under local anaesthesia, without surgery, as an outpatient procedure.
Varicocele is the leading correctable cause of male infertility, present in up to 40% of men presenting for fertility assessment. Embolization and surgical ligation have equivalent efficacy for sperm parameter improvement. Key advantage of embolization: both sides can be treated in a single session, with immediate return home and 24–48h recovery. Fully covered by French national health insurance — no patient fees.
🎯 Who should be treated?
- Male infertility with varicocele and abnormal sperm parameters (oligospermia, asthenospermia, teratospermia)
- Chronic scrotal pain or heaviness, worsened by standing
- Recurrent varicocele after previous surgical ligation — embolization is the technique of choice for recurrence
- Bilateral varicocele — both sides treated in a single session
| Criterion | Embolization (Cochin) | Surgical ligation |
|---|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Local ✓ | General |
| Bilateral in 1 session | Yes ✓ | Difficult |
| Scar | None ✓ | 2–3 small scars |
| Recovery | 24–48h ✓ | 1–2 weeks |
| Recurrence | 10–15% | 5–10% |
| Sperm improvement | 50–70% | 55–75% |
| Reimbursement | 100% ✓ | 100% ✓ |
❓ FAQs
The spermatogenesis cycle takes 72 days. A first sperm analysis is performed at 3 months, with maximum improvement expected between 3 and 6 months after embolization.
Yes — this is actually the preferred indication for embolization. Collateral veins responsible for recurrence can be selectively embolized, which is not possible with re-operation.
Correct. Cochin AP-HP is a French public hospital. Varicocele embolization is fully reimbursed by French national health insurance (equivalent to NHS). No out-of-pocket expenses.