Kahramanmaras ili ilköğretim çağı çocuklarında varikosel sıklığı

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and site of varicocele in children in Kahramanmaras, a city in the south of Turkey and has a population of 505,950 in 2007. Materials and Methods: A total of 4543 boys (range, 7-14 years of age; mean agepSD, 10.53p1.15 years) were included in this study. All children were examined by two specialists at their school and fi ndings of the physical examinations were recorded. Varicoceles were classifi ed as grade 1 palpable during Valsalva maneuver, grade 2 palpable without Valsalva maneuver, and grade 3 visible without the need for palpation. Scrotal pain and contact to any physician were also questioned. Results: Students\' mean age was 10.53p1.15 years. Varicocele was detected in 259 (5.70%) of the 4543 boys aged between 7-14 years; the prevalence was 1.08% in those aged 7-10 years, and 9.72 % at 11-14 years. The varicocele was unilateral in 187 (72.2%) of the 256 boys; of these, fi ve was on the right and the others on the left side. Three children having grade 3 left varicocele described left scrotal pain and no children with varicocele had contact to any physician for examination. Conclusion: According to the resuls of present study, the prevalence of varicocele increases with age. In the 7-14 years age group, varicocele is often asymptomatic. Examination of the testicles should be a part of the routine physical examination for the detection of asymptomatic varicocele, especially during adolescence.