Bakan, Vedat Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Çocuk Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Altunoluk, Bülent Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Üroloji Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Özer, Ali Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Davutoğlu, Mehmet Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Mil, Ayhan Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Çocuk Cerrahisi Anabilim Dalı, Turkey , Malkoç, Önder Kahramanmaras Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi - Tıp Fakültesi - Üroloji Anabilim Dalı, Turkey

The prevalence of varicocele in Turkish primary school age children in Kahramanmaras

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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 age±SD, 10.53±1.15 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 classified 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 10.53±1.15 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.

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Schoolboys , varicocele , prevalence , South Turkey

Dicle Medical Journal

275