OBJECTIVETo assess an integrated method of operation + Chinese medicine + dexamethasone + vitamin E in treating varicocele.

METHODSNinety-six patients with varicocele were randomly divided into two groups, the experimental group (Group A, n=47) treated with the integrated method, the control group (Group B, n=49) treated with Chinese medicine, dexamethasone and vitamin E.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the sperm density and motility and pregnancy rate were higher (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05) and the sperm deformity rate was lower in the experiment group than in the control (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe integrated method works better than either operation or Chinese medicine applied alone in the treatment of varicocele.

Adult ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Dexamethasone ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; etiology ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Count ; Varicocele ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use