Varicocelectomy: inguinal versus suprainguinal approach

ABSTRACT

To compare the results of suprainguinal with the inguinal approach for treating varicocele. Design: A prospective randomized study of 80 cases of varicocele operated from January 1993 to December 1994.Setting: Surgical Unit IV, Liaquat Medical College Hospital, Jamshoro, Hyderabad. Subjects: 80 patients of varicocele. Main outcome measures: Complications and results of inguinal and suprainguinal approach for varicocelelectomy. The mean age was 22.4 years. The swelling was left sided in 98.75% and bilateral in 1.25% of cases. The clinical presentation was dragging sensation in 63 [78.75%] of cases and infertility in 17 [21.25%] of case. The postoperative complication of wound infection was 2.5% in both groups. Wound haematoma was 5% in inguinal and 2.5% in suprainguinal. Hydrocele formation and testicular atrophy was 2.5% each in inguinal group. Persistent dragging sensation was 2.5% in each group and pregnancy rate was 28.5% in inguinal and 30% in suprainguinal group. Suprainguinal approach is better than inguinal as it causes decreased recurrence, decreased complications and better impregnation rate