Chances for Varicocele to reoccur?

Dear Ask The Doctor: I've had a varicocele, had the surgery to get rid of it because of pain (scar on pubic area), but still have a small varicocele after the surgery that I can physically feel and has been confirmed via ultrasound. (No more pain though yeah!) I've now had this small varicocele for about seven years and it seems to be stable, not getting bigger, worse. My question is: Because it's been "stable" so long does this increase my odds that it will continue to be stable? Or are my odds of it getting worse the same as they have always been? Just worries me sometimes that it would get worse, I know these things don't heal themselves, don't want the pain back. Would collateral veins increase my odds of it not getting worse? Thanks.

Dear John: It is very difficult to tell whether the varicocele may get worse with time. Following surgical correction, a complete resolution of the varicocele implies a favorable prognosis.

A recurrence of the varicocele may imply that there is a persistent or recurrent incompetent vessel. Treatment will depend on identifying the vessel by internal spermatic venography.