Am I a candidate for PAE?

Many patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates for PAE. A consultation reviews symptoms, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does PAE take and what is recovery?

The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. Patients recover for roughly 2 hours and go home the same day, with most returning to normal activity soon after.

What access route is used?

PAE is performed via a tiny arterial access. Dr. Drabkin typically uses a left wrist approach, guiding microcatheters to the prostate arteries under imaging.

Does PAE preserve sexual function?

PAE is designed to improve urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function compared with traditional surgical procedures. Individual results vary and are discussed during consultation.

What is varicocele embolization?

It is a minimally invasive procedure that treats dilated scrotal veins (varicocele) by closing abnormal venous pathways under imaging guidance to relieve pain and improve fertility potential.

Is it outpatient and how fast is discharge?

Yes. Varicocele embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure and discharge is typically about 1 hour after the procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

Through a tiny vein access, a catheter is guided to the internal spermatic vein under imaging. Coils or embolic agents are placed to redirect blood flow away from the varicocele.

What is recovery like?

Most patients go home the same day, resume light activity quickly, and increase activity as comfort allows after follow-up guidance.

Am I a candidate for UFE?

UFE is appropriate for many with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis causing heavy bleeding, cramps, pain, or pressure. A consultation includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does UFE take and when do I go home?

UFE typically takes about 30 minutes. Patients go home around 2 hours after the procedure and resume regular activities within a few days.

Does UFE preserve the uterus and future options?

Yes. UFE treats fibroid blood supply while preserving the uterus. Fertility plans are individualized and discussed during consultation.

What symptoms can improve after UFE?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, pelvic pressure, frequency/urgency, and bulk-related discomfort commonly improve in appropriately selected candidates.

What is Interventional Oncology?

Interventional Oncology uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as ablation and embolization to treat cancer and provide supportive care like port placement and biopsies.

Which treatments are offered?

Thermal ablation, embolization therapies, percutaneous biopsies, and venous access (ports). Recommendations are individualized in coordination with oncology teams.

Are these treatments outpatient?

Many procedures are outpatient or short-stay with small access sites and focused recovery guidance. Exact recovery depends on the treatment and clinical context.

How do I know which option is right for me?

A consultation reviews your diagnosis, imaging, and goals to determine candidacy and the most appropriate image-guided options.

Am I a candidate for PAE?

Most patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates. A consult includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long is recovery?

Most patients go home the same day and resume light activity the next day; full recovery is usually within a few days.

Is UFE safe if I want future fertility?

UFE treats fibroids while preserving the uterus. Fertility considerations are individualized and discussed during consultation.

Am I a candidate for PAE?

Many patients with BPH and bothersome urinary symptoms are candidates for PAE. A consultation reviews symptoms, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does PAE take and what is recovery?

The procedure usually takes about 1 hour. Patients recover for roughly 2 hours and go home the same day, with most returning to normal activity soon after.

What access route is used?

PAE is performed via a tiny arterial access. Dr. Drabkin typically uses a left wrist approach, guiding microcatheters to the prostate arteries under imaging.

Does PAE preserve sexual function?

PAE is designed to improve urinary symptoms while preserving sexual function compared with traditional surgical procedures. Individual results vary and are discussed during consultation.

What is varicocele embolization?

It is a minimally invasive procedure that treats dilated scrotal veins (varicocele) by closing abnormal venous pathways under imaging guidance to relieve pain and improve fertility potential.

Is it outpatient and how fast is discharge?

Yes. Varicocele embolization is performed as an outpatient procedure and discharge is typically about 1 hour after the procedure.

How is the procedure performed?

Through a tiny vein access, a catheter is guided to the internal spermatic vein under imaging. Coils or embolic agents are placed to redirect blood flow away from the varicocele.

What is recovery like?

Most patients go home the same day, resume light activity quickly, and increase activity as comfort allows after follow-up guidance.

Am I a candidate for UFE?

UFE is appropriate for many with uterine fibroids or adenomyosis causing heavy bleeding, cramps, pain, or pressure. A consultation includes history, labs, and imaging to confirm suitability.

How long does UFE take and when do I go home?

UFE typically takes about 30 minutes. Patients go home around 2 hours after the procedure and resume regular activities within a few days.

Does UFE preserve the uterus and future options?

Yes. UFE treats fibroid blood supply while preserving the uterus. Fertility plans are individualized and discussed during consultation.

What symptoms can improve after UFE?

Heavy menstrual bleeding, cramping, pelvic pressure, frequency/urgency, and bulk-related discomfort commonly improve in appropriately selected candidates.

What is Interventional Oncology?

Interventional Oncology uses image-guided, minimally invasive procedures such as ablation and embolization to treat cancer and provide supportive care like port placement and biopsies.

Which treatments are offered?

Thermal ablation, embolization therapies, percutaneous biopsies, and venous access (ports). Recommendations are individualized in coordination with oncology teams.

Are these treatments outpatient?

Many procedures are outpatient or short-stay with small access sites and focused recovery guidance. Exact recovery depends on the treatment and clinical context.

How do I know which option is right for me?

A consultation reviews your diagnosis, imaging, and goals to determine candidacy and the most appropriate image-guided options.

Home · Procedures

Varicocele Embolization

A minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for varicocele that relieves pain and may improve fertility—without surgical incisions. Most patients go home the same day, usually about 1 hour after the procedure.

Am I a candidate? Request consultation

Serving Long Island and the greater NYC area

What is a varicocele?

A varicocele is an enlargement of veins within the scrotum (similar to varicose veins in the leg). It can cause a heavy or aching sensation, visible or palpable veins, and may affect fertility by altering testicular temperature and blood flow.

Pain, heaviness, or discomfort
Cosmetic concern from enlarged veins
Abnormal semen parameters and impaired fertility potential

Why embolization?

Embolization treats the problem from the inside using a catheter and imaging guidance—no surgical incision, and recovery is quick.

Same-day procedure with discharge usually ~1 hour after completion; most patients resume light activity the next day.

Why varicoceles occur

A varicocele develops when blood flows backward (reflux) through the gonadal veins due to incompetent one-way valves. Instead of draining smoothly toward the heart, blood pools in the scrotal veins under the influence of gravity.

This is more common in the left gonadal vein, which runs in a vertical orientation directly into the renal vein, making it more susceptible to reflux. In contrast, the right gonadal vein enters at an angle, reducing the downward vector of gravity and lowering the chance of reflux.

For this reason, varicocele embolization generally targets the left gonadal vein. However, during the procedure, real-time venography is performed. If the left vein appears non-contributory or the right vein shows significant reflux, the right gonadal vein may be treated instead.

In a small percentage of cases, optimal relief may require staged embolization of both left and right gonadal veins, performed as separate procedures.

How the procedure works

Access & mapping

Through a tiny puncture (often the neck vein), a thin catheter is guided to the gonadal vein and the refluxing veins are mapped.

Embolization

Coils or plugs are placed to close abnormal veins and redirect blood into healthy pathways.

Recovery

Same-day discharge (usually ~1 hour). Most patients return to activity within 24 hours.

Outpatient

No hospital stay; quick return to routine

Minimally invasive

Tiny access; no surgical incision

Efficient

Most patients go home about an hour after the procedure

Benefits of embolization

Relieves pain and heaviness from varicocele
May improve semen parameters and fertility potential
Lower complication rate vs. surgical varicocelectomy
Same-day procedure and rapid recovery

Effectiveness

Varicocele embolization is a proven, durable treatment with high technical success and symptom relief. Many patients also see improvement in semen parameters as part of a comprehensive fertility plan.

What patients can expect

Technical success in the vast majority of cases
Rapid return to non-strenuous activity (often next day)
Follow-up tailored to symptoms and fertility goals

Risks

Complications are uncommon. Potential risks include a small risk of infection or bleeding at the access site, temporary discomfort in the abdomen or groin, and rare recurrence if new veins develop.

Safety notes

We review medications (including blood thinners) before your procedure

Who is a candidate?

Painful or symptomatic varicocele
Infertility associated with abnormal semen parameters
Recurrent varicocele after prior surgery

Request consultation

FAQ

How long does it take?

Typically under one hour. You go home the same day—usually about 1 hour after the procedure.

Will I need general anesthesia?

No, general anesthesia is not needed for this procedure. An anesthesiologist will provide moderate sedation.

When can I get back to normal activity?

Most patients resume light activity within 24 hours; avoid heavy lifting for a short period as advised.

Ready to discuss varicocele embolization?

Dr. Michael J. Drabkin is among the highest-volume interventional radiologists in the United States for embolization procedures, with extensive experience across prostate, uterine, and varicocele treatments.

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