Day case management of varicocele

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the outcome of treatment of varicocele by low ligation under local anaesthesia and to establish the low ligation as a mode of treatment for early mobilization of the patient and early return to work. Descriptive study. Department of Surgery Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from June 2002 to Dec 2002. This study included 50 patients with varicocele irrespective of their age treated by low ligation under local anaesthesia in day case settings and were followed for 3 months. The results of the procedure on the symptoms were quite satisfactory. Post operatively complications were seen in only 8 [16%] patients. Post operative hematoma formation occurred in only 1 [2%] patient, wound infection in 2 [4%] patients, transient pain at the site of operation was present in 2 [4%] patients, transient hydrocele developed in 1 [2%] patient, permanent hydrocele developed in 1 [2%] patient, in 1 [2%] of the patient the dilated veins persisted after the operation even at 3 month follow up. This study concludes that low ligation of varicocele as day case surgery is a very useful day case procedure in the treatment of varicocele that can be very safely carried out under local anaesthesia with a very high healing rate and minimal complications