Microscopic versus laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele: effects and complications / 中华男科学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the effects and postoperative complications of microscopic varicocelectomy (MV) and laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) in the treatment of varicocele.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We assigned 72 varicocele patients to two groups of equal number to be treated by MV and LV. We compared the two groups in the semen parameters before and 3 months after surgery, postoperative complications, and pregnancy rates of the patients'wives.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The operative time was significantly longer in the MV than in the LV group (P<0.05). The postoperative hospital stay showed no significant difference between the MV and LV groups ([2.2 +/- 2.7] d vs [2.8 +/- 0.8] d). Sperm concentration, sperm motility and the percentage of grade a + b sperm were significantly increased in both groups after surgery (P<0.05), but with no significant differences between the two. The pregnancy rate was 65.2% in the former and 57.1% in the latter. Postoperative hydrocele occurred in 5 cases in the LV, but none in the MV group. There were no statistically significant differences in recurrence between the two groups (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MV is superior to LV for its minimal invasiveness, economical anesthesia, faster recovery and lower rates of postoperative complications and recurrence.</p>