Dr. Sandeep Sharma presents a promising teaching brief on endovascular varicocele ablation.
Dr. Sandeep Sharma
With over sixteen years of experience in managing the IRFacilities and a DM in neuroradiology and neurointervention, Dr. Sandeep Sharma has pioneered several minimally invasive treatments one of them is endovenous varicocele ablation. As a known visionary, Dr Sharma applies a recently introduced approach to management of varicoceles that has very low risk when compared to the classical operations with very satisfying results. This therapy which aims at reducing the patients’ sufferings while producing the best results possible has radically shifted the treatment of varicocele to endovascular approach.
The Problem of Varicoceles and Treatment of Such Conditions
Varicocele refers to distended veins within the scrotum and these are similar to the varicose veins that occur in the legs. The dilated vessels could bring about a number of issues including pain and swelling especially in the scrotum and infertility in extreme cases. Approximately 15% of men are affected with such conditions which is a commmon factor responsible for impaired sperm quality in men thus resulting into infertility.
In the past, the treatment of varicoceles has been predominantly surgical with procedures such as varicocelectomy where the affected veins are cut off or tied. Surgery, though effective, is associated with several challenges, risk of complications such as infection or even recurrence and long recovery time. This has made it necessary for there to be less invasive methods that would yield similar results, if not better with minimal side effects.
The Endovascular Approach
Endovascular varicocele ablation which Dr Sharma has perfected in the course of his career a minimally invasive option compared to surgery. The procedure involves going through the skin and inserting a catheter into a vein, usually located in the groin or the neck, and accessing the problematic veins through the catheter.
A sclerosant or embolizing agent is then injected to block off the veins, effectively eliminating the varicocele without large incisions and general anesthesia.
Many people are in favor of endovascular varicocele ablation due to the following reasons:
1. Minimally Invasive: Whereas surgery involves incisions and thorough dissection of tissues, endovascular ablation is performed through a small puncture. This significantly reduces the risk of infection and chances of scarring, making it a very appealing option for patients who are concerned with their cosmetic look after the procedure.
2. Faster Recovery:Since there are no large incisions made and no damage to tissues, patients undergoing endovascular ablation find that the recovery times are shorter. The majority of the patients return to their daily activities within a matter of days, unlike the surgery which can take weeks or even months to recover from fully.
3. Lower Chances of Complications: There are far-reaching risks involved even after varicocelectomy is carried out in the best surgical hands. Such risks include the formation of a hydrocele, testicular atrophy, or recurrence of the varicocele. On the other hand, Endovascular ablation, which is such a procedure that painlessly destroys a blood vessel from the inside, has a much lower rate of complications due to its accuracy and the minimal invasiveness of the procedure.
4. Outpatient Procedure: Usually, endovascular varicocele ablation is performed on an outpatient basis, which means that the patient can go home the day the procedure is done. This is not the same to surgical treatment options where patients stay in hospitals for longer periods of time before being discharged.
5. Very Good Outcome: It has been established in different studies that the outcomes of endovascular varicocele ablation are very similar and sometimes superior to those of other invasive surgical techniques. In addition to patients getting relief from symptoms, there are also improvements in sperm quality and fertility achieved by the procedures.
Overview of Dr. Sandeep Sharma’s Qualifications
Dr. Sandeep Sharma is a consultant neurointerventional radiologist with the expertise in a variety of procedures ,best in performing endovascular treatments for varicocele. Being trained as a Neuroradiologist and Neurointervention expert, he enjoys a rather rare advantage of being able to work in and manipulate complex vascular areas with great accuracy.
He considers one of his strong qualities as being able to evaluate each patient’s particular situation, and adjust how interventional techniques would be applied in that particular case. His through pre-procedural assessments make sure that procedure will be done properly initial treatment is ideal. Regardless if it is just a plain varicocele or more complex presentation with multiple tortuous veins, Dr. Sharma's technique is systematic and patient-centric.
Furthermore, Dr. Sharma uses DSA (digital subtraction angiography) within the operating obturator till its drainage to renal vein to visualize in real-time the veins being treated with embolization. This guarantees that the procedures carried out are accurate significantly minimizing chances of embolization failure and recurrence. His perfectionism and the application of recent medical technology in practice have made him deliver good results all the time.
Advantages over Surgery
As expected, in surgical varicocelectomy endovascular ablation will have more advantages. Surgery, for instance, is effective but not without a higher risk of prolonged recovery, and a more significant likelihood of complications after the surgery. Whereas, endovascular ablation is a very safe, fast, and painless procedure.
For those patients who have pre-operative anxiety about going under the knife, endovascular ablation is a relief to most of them. According to Dr. Sharma, the technique reduces the need for general anesthesia and its associated complications such as vomiting, hypersensitivity reactions, and long recovery periods. Instead, local anesthetic or mild sleep is administered making the approach more appropriate for patients with other underlying medical conditions.
Also, endovascular ablation serves as a treatment option for patients who have developed recurrent varicoceles after surgical intervention. The causes of surgical failures are usually incomplete vein ligation or missed veins and such issues are less prone when endovascular techniques are used.
Long-Term Outcomes and Patient Satisfaction
Long-term outcomes of patients especially after surgery is one of the aspects that define Dr. Sharma’s success. Almost all patients experience at least some degree of long-lasting relief from aching, discomfort, and even improvement in fertility where varicocele was the causative factor. Recurrence of varicoceles after endovascular ablative therapy is found to be much lower than surgical methods in a follow-up study.
The level of patient satisfaction is also remarkably good and several patients have remarked on how easy and effective the whole procedure was. The fact that such a procedure as endovascular ablation can be done in a few hours, entails little or no recovery period and leaves no scars is appealing to many men who want to manage the problem without interrupting their day to day life.
Conclusion
Dr. Sandeep Sharma is best at performing Minimally Invasive Endovenous Varicocele ablation. His endovascular method can be described as decades of practice supported by state-of-the-art technology. It provides patients with a safer and more effective solution compared to conventional surgical interventions. Shifting the paradigm from treating varicoceles to managing the condition, he has transformed the lives of countless men by preventing the complications of this condition and giving maximum possible success in current era.
It is obvious that the medical field keeps changing with time, and in this case, the works of Dr. Sharma have made a clear understanding that what is less invasive can still be more effective. In this regard, Dr. Sandeep Sharma’s endovascular treatment for varicocele ablation goes beyond traditional treatment which in itself is incredibly effective with minimal success.
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