Optimizing the operative treatment of boys with varicocele: sequential comparison of 4 techniques

PURPOSE: We compared 4 techniques of varicocele ligation in boys and young adolescents to determine the optimal operative treatment that avoids varicocele recurrence and postoperative hydrocele formation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 10 years a total of 128 varicocelectomies were performed sequentially in 121 boys and young adolescents with a mean age of 12 years using the laparoscopic, inguinal testicular artery sparing, standard Palomo (high mass retroperitoneal ligation) and modified Palomo approaches. The modified Palomo approach involved suprainguinal and retroperitoneal ligation of the veins and artery, and microsurgical sparing of the blue stained lymphatic pathway of the testis. Patients were followed a mean of 52 months. RESULTS: In the 19 boys in the laparoscopy group varicocele persisted in 10% and hydrocele developed in 5%. In the 21 patients who underwent inguinal surgery with artery preservation recurrent varicoceles were identified in 14% and no hydroceles were observed. In the 32 patients who underwent the standard Palomo procedure there was no palpable varicocele persistence or recurrence, while hydroceles developed in 12%. Of the 56 patients in the modified Palomo group varicocele recurred in 1 (2%) and there were no hydroceles. No testicular atrophy developed in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of all 4 groups revealed significant differences in varicocele recurrence (p = 0.038) and hydrocele formation (p = 0.023). Pairwise group comparison showed that the modified Palomo technique resulted in a significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative hydrocele formation compared with the standard Palomo method (p = 0.015). This procedure can be recommended as the optimal surgical technique for varicocele treatment in males of this young age.     

Magnified and non magnified subinguinal varicocelectomy in infertile and/or symptomatic men: A comparative study of the outcome

ObjectiveTo compare the outcome of magnified and non magnified varicocelectomy for infertile and/or symptomatic men.Patients and methodsOne hundred and sixteen patients with 2nd and 3rd degree varicocele were treated in a university based hospital between January 2006 and July 2008. Sixty patients were randomly allocated to be operated upon by conventional subinguinal technique and this is the 1st group (9 patients of them with bilateral varicocele). Other 56 patients were operated upon by microsurgical subinguinal technique and this is the 2nd group (11 of them with bilateral varicocele). All patients were followed up at regular intervals, every 3 months for 3 years, 7 patients were lost during follow-up period, all of them with unilateral varicocele (3 patients from 1st group and 4 patients from 2nd group).ResultsSixty-six varicocelectomies in the 1st group were done by conventional subinguinal technique (57 unilateral and 9 bilateral). Their results had been shown; 8 unilateral hydroceles (12.1%), 7 unilateral recurrences (10.7%) and one scrotal hematoma (1.5%). In the 2nd group total varicocelectomies were 63 (52 unilateral and 11 bilateral) had been done by microsurgical subinguinal technique resulting in no hydroceles and no scrotal hematomas but there were two unilateral recurrence (3%). The differences between the two techniques in the incidence of hydrocele formation and varicocele recurrence are significant (P < 0.001) and (P < 0.03) respectively.ConclusionApproaching the testis via a small subinguinal incision gives direct access to all testicular venous drainage. Furthermore, using the operating loupes helps to ease the recognition of the small venous channel, the testicular artery and the lymphatics, thus resulting in significant decrease of the incidence of varicocele recurrence, persistence, hydrocele formation and testicular artery injury. It is considered safe, effective and less morbid method for varicocelectomy.     

MICROSURGICAL REPAIR OF THE ADOLESCENT VARICOCELE

Purpose

Since clinically apparent varicoceles may affect testicular volume and sperm production, early repair has been advocated. However, repair of the pediatric varicocele with conventional nonmagnified techniques may result in persistence of the varicocele after up to 16% of these procedures. Also testicular artery injury and postoperative hydrocele formation can occur after nonmagnified repair. The microsurgical technique has been successfully completed in a large series of adults with a dramatic reduction in complication and recurrence rates. We report our experience with the microsurgical technique in boys.

Materials and Methods

A total of 30 boys (average age 15.9 years) underwent 42 microsurgical varicocelectomies (12 bilateral). All patients had a large left varicocele. Indications for repair included testicular atrophy (size difference between testicles of greater than 2 ml.) in 20 boys, pain in 5 and a large varicocele without pain or testicular atrophy in 5. Six boys were referred following failure of conventional nonmicrosurgical techniques. All boys were examined no sooner than 1 month postoperatively (mean followup 12).

Results

Preoperative volume of the affected testis averaged 13.0 ml., and an average size discrepancy between testicles of 2.8 ml. was noted before unilateral varicocelectomy. No cases of persistent or recurrent varicoceles were detected, and 1 postoperative hydrocele resolved spontaneously. After unilateral varicocelectomy the treated testes grew an average of 50.1%, while the contralateral testes grew only 23%. Overall, 89% of patients with testicular atrophy demonstrated reversal of testicular growth retardation after unilateral varicocelectomy. In contrast, both testes showed similar growth rates after bilateral varicocelectomy (45% left testis, 39% right testis).

Conclusions

The meticulous dissection necessary to preserve arterial and lymphatic supply, and to ligate all spermatic veins in the pediatric patient is readily accomplished using a microsurgical approach, and results in low recurrence and complication rates. Rapid catch-up growth of the affected testis after microsurgical varicocelectomy suggests that intervention during adolescence is effective and warranted.     

Intraoperative varicocele anatomy: a macroscopic and microscopic study.

Varicoceles are found in approximately 15% of all men in the general population and up to 41% of all infertile men. However, the exact location and relationship of internal and external spermatic arteries, veins and lymphatics within the inguinal portion of the spermatic cord have not been previously well described in infertile men. The results of detailed intraoperative macroscopic and microscopic surgical dissections of the spermatic cord and gubernaculum of 83 infertile men with 115 palpable varicoceles are described. Enlarged veins exiting the testis and traversing the gubernaculum were present in 48% of the dissections. Enlarged external spermatic veins were detected in 74% of all spermatic cords. Typically, small internal spermatic veins drained into a large vein more proximally in the spermatic cord. An average of 3.6 lymphatics per spermatic cord was identified and preserved during the dissections. A solitary testicular artery was observed in 69% of the dissections. The testicular artery was adherent to the posterior surface of a large internal spermatic vein in 50% of the dissections and was surrounded by a dense complex of closely adherent veins in 30%. To decrease the incidence of postoperative varicocele recurrences we suggest a surgical approach that addresses all identifiable dilated and connecting veins. These findings suggest that surgical approaches that include intraoperative access to and ligation of low inguinal (external spermatic) and gubernacular veins may cause fewer recurrences, unligated small internal spermatic veins may be a cause of varicocele recurrence, and large internal spermatic veins should be individually identified, dissected and ligated since the testicular artery and lymphatics are often adherent to these veins. Optical magnification is important to facilitate identification of lymphatics, testicular arteries and small internal spermatic veins.     

Intraoperative Varicocele Anatomy: A Microscopic Study of the Inguinal Versus Subinguinal Approach

PurposeThe groin approach to varicocelectomy is performed by an inguinal (aponeurosis of external oblique opened) or subinguinal (external oblique aponeurosis intact) technique. We describe the number and relationship of internal and external spermatic arteries, veins and lymphatics within the subinguinal portion of the spermatic cord in infertile men undergoing microscopic varicocelectomy and compare these findings to the microanatomy observed with the inguinal approach.Materials and MethodsA total of 48 consecutive patients underwent 84 microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies during which the detailed intraoperative microanatomy of the spermatic cord and gubernacula was recorded. These observations were compared with a previously reported group of 83 consecutive patients that underwent 115 inguinal varicocelectomies. Subinguinal microscopic findings were also evaluated relative to clinical varicocele grade.ResultsThe spermatic cord in the subinguinal dissection was characterized by a smaller number of large (greater than 5 mm) internal spermatic veins and a greater number of small (less than 2 mm) internal spermatic veins than the cord in the inguinal dissection (mean 0.4 vs 1.9 large veins and mean 7.9 vs 4.7 small veins, respectively). The subinguinal dissection was also characterized by a significantly greater percentage of external spermatic veins greater than 2 mm than that observed during inguinal dissection (93% vs 74%, respectively, p <0.05). Multiple spermatic arteries were identified in 75% of subinguinal dissections and in only 31% of inguinal dissections (p <0.03). Internal spermatic arteries were surrounded by a dense complex of adherent veins in 95% of cases using the subinguinal approach, whereas this finding was true in only 30% of cases with the inguinal approach (p <0.001). The clinical grade of a varicocele was significantly associated with the number of internal spermatic veins greater than 2 mm found intraoperatively (p <0.001) but not with the maximum internal spermatic vein diameter.ConclusionsAlthough the subinguinal approach to microsurgical varicocelectomy obviates the need to open the aponeurosis of the external oblique, it is associated with a greater number of internal spermatic veins and arteries compared with the inguinal approach. The primary branch point for the testicular artery occurs most commonly during its course through the inguinal canal. Internal spermatic arteries at the subinguinal level are more than 3 times as likely to be surrounded by a dense network of adherent veins than when they are identified at the inguinal level. Taken together, these data suggest that microscopic dissection is more difficult with a subinguinal incision.     

Modified high varicocelectomy: outpatient microsurgical procedure

Fifty patients underwent modified high varicocelectomy as outpatients. Twelve of the 22 unilateral varicocelectomies were performed under local anesthesia. All patients tolerated the procedures well, and none required admission to the hospital. The modified high approach, which exposes the area above the internal inguinal ring and of the posterior spermatic cord, is straightforward and insures that both internal spermatic and cremasteric veins can be ligated. Use of the operating microscope prevents the inadvertent ligation of the testicular artery and lymphatics.     

显微外科精索静脉曲张切除术治疗男性不育

精索静脉曲张(VAC)是导致男性不育的常见原因。手术是治疗VAC的主要方法。传统手术方法包括Palo-mo手术、经腹股沟精索内静脉高位结扎术及腹腔镜手术术后睾丸鞘膜积液、睾丸动脉损伤等并发症的发生率及VAC复发率较高。近年来国际上兴起的显微外科精索静脉曲张切除术(MV)可有效的保护精索淋巴管及睾丸动脉,彻底结扎除输精管静脉外的所有精索静脉,使并发症及复发率大为降低。MV可显著改善VAC不育患者的精液质量,提高妊娠率;对严重少弱精子症或非梗阻性无精子症的患者的精液质量也有改善作用,目前已成为治疗VAC的"金标准"。     

Microanatomy of the spermatic cords during microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy: initial experience in Asian men

The microanatomy of the inguinal spermatic cords has never been reported in Asia. The purpose of this study was to describe the number and relationship of the veins, arteries and lymphatics in the spermatic cord and to clarify the location of the vas deferens in Asian men. Fifty-one patients receiving 79 primary microsurgical varicocelectomies performed by a single surgeon from April 2011 to July 2012 were studied. The number of internal and external spermatic veins, testicular arteries and lymphatic channels preserved during the inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy were recorded. The relationship between the right and left vascular anatomy during bilateral varicocelectomies was evaluated. The data showed that mean numbers of 1.5±0.9 arteries, 5.6±2.2 spermatic veins and 3.6±1.9 lymphatics were identified during the repairs. The internal spermatic arteries were surrounded by a dense complex of adherent veins in 81.2% of the cases. The external spermatic vein or veins were found in 60.8% of the cases. The vas deferens may be contained within the internal spermatic fascia. The results suggest that the number of veins may be highly variable and less than those reported in the English literature, but there is some similarity in the inguinal microanatomy of the right and left spermatic cords. Further research is warranted to clarify our results.     

Loupe-assisted versus microscopic varicocelectomy： s there an intraoperative anatomic difference？

The aim of this study was to compare the intraoperative difference in anatomic details between Ioupe-assisted and microscopic varicocelectomy within the same spermatic cord. Between April 2011 and August 2011, 26 men with 33 sides containing grade 2-3 varicocele were enrolled in this study. First, one surgeon performed the open inguinal varicocelectomy under x 3.5 Ioupe magnification. The presumed vascular channels and lymphatics were isolated and marked without ligation. Another surgeon then microsurgically dissected and checked the same spermatic cord using an operating microscope to judge the results in terms of the ligation of the internal spermatic veins and the preservation of the arteries and lymphatics. There were significant differences in the average number of internal spermatic arteries （1.51 vs 0.97）, internal spermatic veins （5.70 vs 4.39） and lymphatics （3.52 vs 1.61） between the microscope and Ioupe-assisted procedures （P 〈 0.001, P 〈 0.001, P 〈 0.001, respectively）. Meanwhile, in varicocele repair with Ioupe magnification, an average of 1.30 β± 1.07 （43/33） internal spermatic veins per side were missed, among the overlooked veins, 1.12 ± 0.93 （37/33） were adhered to the preserved testicular artery, as well as 0.55 ± 0.79 lymphatics and 0.36 ± 0.55 arteries that were to be ligated. In conclusion, microscopic varicocelectomy could preserve more internal spermatic arteries and lymphatics and could ligate more veins than the Ioupe-assisted procedure. To some degree, Ioupe magnification is inadequate for the reliable identification and dissection of the tiny vessels of the spermatic cord, as most of the overlooked veins were adhered to the preserved testicular artery.     

Robotic-assisted laparoscopic artery-sparing varicocelectomy using indocyanine green fluorescence angiography: Initial experience

We reported our initial experience of robotic-assisted laparoscopic artery-sparing varicocelectomy using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence angiography in treatment of varicocele. A total of 45 varicocelectomies in 27 patients were performed. The mean operation time was 49.1 ± 8.5 min for unilateral and 65.6 ± 8.3 min for bilateral repair. 47.2 s after ICG injection, testicular artery (TA) was visualised. After an interval of 31.3 s, fluorescent veins were identified. Of all the 45 spermatic cords, 68.9% had a solitary artery, while 31.1% had 2 arteries. The mean hospital stay was 1.6 ± 0.9 days. Semen concentration and motility were significantly improved 6 months after surgery, no recurrence, hydrocele or testicular atrophy was observed. Our study demonstrated that robotic-assisted laparoscopic artery-sparing varicocelectomy using ICG fluorescence angiography is a safe, effective and promising technique in treatment of varicocele.     

Microsurgical treatment of varicocele in outpatients using the subinguinal approach.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze the results of a group of patients who underwent subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy using local anaesthesia in one-day-surgery. METHODS: From 1997 to 1998 150 patients were selected from the whole group of patients who underwent surgical treatment for varicocele. The varicocele was always on the left side and the mean age was 27.1 years (range: 16-43). The diagnosis was based on clinical features (testicular pain or scrotal sensation), physical examination and Doppler ultrasound. Where there was infertility with abnormal semen analysis and/or patient's intolerance to the symptoms, surgery was suggested. The patients underwent varicocelectomy by sub-inguinal approach using local anaesthesia. The microsurgical technique of dissection was performed. RESULTS: All operations were performed on an outpatient basis (post-operative stay: 3-7 hours) and the operating time was 20 to 45 minutes. Follow-up was performed by physical examination, doppler ultrasound and semen analysis. Immediate and long-term complications were: 7 (4.7%) transient pain, 3 (2.0%) ecchymosis, 1 (0.7%) transient hydroceles and 1 (0.7%) permanent hydroceles, 2 (1.3%) palpable recurrence, 2(1.3%) doppler recurrence and 1 (0.7%) long-term recurrence, 0 testicular atrophy. 120/150 (80%) patients showed an improvement of semen analysis and 19/41 (46.3%) patients with infertility achieved a pregnancy with the partner. CONCLUSIONS: Microsurgical treatment of varicocele in outpatients by subinguinal approach is a safe and reliable procedure. It is performed in local anaesthesia, preserves the lymphatics, spermatic artery and vas and in our experience showed an improvement of semen analysis and pregnancy rates with minimal morbidity.     

High inguinal loupe-assisted varicocelectomy for subfertile men with varicococeles: technical feasibility, clinical outcomes and complications

254 consecutive patients underwent high inguinal loupe-assisted varicocelectomy. All patients had at least a one year history of infertility with abnormal semen parameters and physical examination and/or color Doppler ultrasound proven varicocele. To facilitate the procedure, an x 3.0 loupe was used during spermatic cord dissection near or at level of internal inguinal ring. Semen analysis and physical examination were performed at 3 monthly intervals. No intra-operative complications occurred. The most common post-operative complications were transient scrotal pain and stitch reaction, occurring in 12% and 4% of men, respectively. Only one permanent and two transient hydroceles were observed. Recurrent or persistent varicocele was identified by physical examination and color Doppler in 5 varicocelectomies (1.4%), and by color Doppler only in 6 varicocelectomies (1.7%). Sperm motility increased from 30 +/- 8% to 46 +/- 20%, and sperm concentration. (10(6)/cc) increased from 24 +/- 18 to 41 +/- 28. The one-year pregnancy rate was 37%. High inguinal loupe-assisted varicocelectomy is a safe, simple, and effective treatment for varicocele.     

Laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy in the adolescent is safe after previous ipsilateral inguinal surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome of laparoscopic Palomo varicocelectomy (LPV) in young boys who had undergone previous ipsilateral inguinal surgery (in whom potentially the arterial supply to the testicles may be compromised) in an attempt to assess its safety for the collateral vascular supply in such cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 5-year period (1995-2000) 44 patients underwent LPV, where both the spermatic artery and vein were ligated high above the internal ring. Thirteen patients had undergone previous ipsilateral inguinal surgery, which included inguinal hernia repairs in five, orchidopexy in two, communicating hydrocele repair in three and previous varicocele repair in three. All patients were followed clinically at 3 months and 1 year after surgery. RESULTS: There were no complications related to laparoscopy or varicocele ligation. No patient developed ipsilateral testicular atrophy; moreover the testis size remained stable or was associated with compensatory growth in all patients. CONCLUSION: Previous inguinal surgery involving the ipsilateral testicle does not appear to affect the collateral blood circulation to the affected testis in boys who undergo LPV mass ligation of the internal spermatic vein and artery. LPV for varicocele is safe in boys who have undergone previous inguinal surgery, suggesting that an adequate collateral blood supply is present.     

Complication rate of microsurgical varicocele ligation without delivery of the testis

It is commonly assumed that the complication rate of microsurgical varicocele repair is lower than that of nonmicrosurgical techniques, particularly since magnification allows for preservation of lymphatic vessels and, thus, a theoretically lower incidence of hydrocele. However, review of the literature reveals relatively few papers on this subject. The authors reviewed their experience to determine the incidence of complications following microsurgical varicocele repair without delivery of the testicle in the adult population. From 1 July 1997 to 1 September 2001 139 men underwent microsurgical varicocele ligation without delivery of the testicle, with a mean follow-up of 22 months. Of the 139 men, 4 (2.9%) had complications. One (0.7%) had a recurrence, 1 (0.7%) had a wound infection, 1 (0.7%) had epididymitis, and 1 (0.7%) had an unintentional injury of the testicular artery. None of the men developed a hydrocele. The published complication rate for nonmicrosurgical varicocle ligation ranges from 5.4 to 7.2%, with the most common complication being hydrocele formation. In the authors' series, the overall complication rate was 2.9%, with no patient developing a hydrocele. Thus, microsurgical varicocele ligation without delivery of the testicle results in a lower complication rate and a lower incidence of hydrocele than nonmicrosurgical techniques.     

Treatment of palpable varicocele in infertile men: a meta-analysis to define the best technique

To date, there have been no randomized, controlled, prospective clinical studies that compare various techniques to describe the best method for the treatment of varicocele in infertile men. This meta-analysis aims to address the best treatment modality for palpable varicocele in infertile men. A MEDLINE search was performed for articles published between January 1980 and April 2008, and we analyzed 36 studies reporting postoperative spontaneous pregnancy rates and/or complication rates after varicocele repair using various techniques in infertile men with palpable unilateral or bilateral varicocele. Spontaneous pregnancy rates and postoperative complications such as hydrocele formation, recurrence, or persistence were compared among the techniques. In addition, interventional failure with radiologic embolization and reported complications with the laparoscopic approach were reviewed. Overall spontaneous pregnancy rates were 37.69% in the Palomo technique series, 41.97% in the microsurgical varicocelectomy techniques, 30.07% in the laparoscopic varicocelectomy techniques, 33.2% in the radiologic embolization, and 36% in the macroscopic inguinal (Ivanissevich) varicocelectomy series, revealing significant differences among the techniques (P = .001). Overall recurrence rates were 14.97% in the Palomo technique series, 1.05% in the microsurgical varicocelectomy techniques, 4.3% in the laparoscopic varicocelectomy techniques, 12.7% in the radiologic embolization, and 2.63% in the macroscopic inguinal (Ivanissevich) or subinguinal varicocelectomy series, revealing significant difference among the techniques (P = .001). Overall hydrocele formation rates were 8.24% in the Palomo technique series, 0.44% in the microsurgical varicocelectomy techniques, 2.84% in the laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 7.3% in the macroscopic inguinal (Ivanissevich) or subinguinal varicocelectomy series, revealing significant difference among the techniques (P = .001). We conclude that the microsurgical varicocelectomy technique has higher spontaneous pregnancy rates and lower postoperative recurrence and hydrocele formation than conventional varicocelectomy techniques in infertile men. However, prospective, randomized, and comparative studies with large number of patients are needed to compare the efficacy of microsurgical varicocelectomy with that of other treatment modalities in infertile men with varicocele.     

Macroscopic and microsurgical varicocelectomy: what’s the intraoperative difference?

Purpose

Many authors reported that microsurgical varicocelectomy was among the best treatment modalities for varicocele. However, the difference in intraoperative anatomic detail between macroscopic and microsurgical varicocele repair in the same spermatic cord has not been critically discussed.

Methods

Between August 2010 and February 2011, 32 men with 42 sides’ grade 2–3 varicocele were enrolled in this study. One surgeon firstly mimicked the modified open varicocelectomy by identifying, isolating, and marking the presumed internal spermatic veins, lymphatics, and arteries. Another surgeon then checked the same spermatic cord using operating microscope to investigate the number of missed veins, to be ligated lymphatics and arteries in the “imitative” open varicocelectomy.

Results

There were significant differences in the average number of internal spermatic arteries (1.67 vs. 0.91), internal spermatic veins (6.45 vs. 4.31), and lymphatics (2.93 vs. 1.17) between microscopic and macroscopic procedure (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, respectively). Meanwhile, an average of 2.14 ± 1.26 internal spermatic veins was missed; among them, 1.63 ± 1.32 internal spermatic veins adherent to the preserved testicular artery were overlooked. The number of 0.69 ± 0.84 lymphatics and 0.74 ± 0.74 arteries were to be ligated in “macroscopic varicocelectomy.” A number of 1.07 ± 1.11 lymphatics were neither identified nor ligated. In addition, in 2 cases, the vasal vessels of the vas deferens were to be ligated at macroscopic procedure.

Conclusions

Microsurgical varicocelectomy could preserve more internal spermatic arteries and lymphatic and ligate more veins which may interpret the superiority of microsurgical varicocele repair.     

Lymphatic sparing laparoscopic varicocelectomy: a microsurgical repair

PURPOSE: The division of lymphatic vessels during pediatric varicocelectomy is complicated by hydrocele formation, testicular hypertrophy due to intratesticular edema and decline in testicular function. To prevent these complications, we introduced a microsurgical lymphatic sparing dissection into laparoscopic varicocelectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively compared outcomes in 104 boys who underwent microsurgical laparoscopic repair for grade II to III varicocele between April 1999 and December 2002 to a group of 67 boys operated on using conventional laparoscopy without lymphatic preservation between January 1997 and March 1999. Using 10x to 20x optical magnification, the lymphatic vessels were identified as colorless tubular structures that were easily separated and preserved. RESULTS: After a mean followup of 17 months there was no significant difference in varicocele recurrence between the 2 groups (6.7% vs 8.9%, p = 0.56). Hydrocele formation and testicular hypertrophy occurred significantly less frequently after microsurgical repair (1.9% and 2.9%, respectively, vs 17.9% and 20.1% in the conventional group, p = 0.0003). No major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Preservation of lymphatics in laparoscopic varicocelectomy is technically feasible, and decreases hydrocele formation and the development of testicular hypertrophy. This microsurgical modification is a safe and efficacious alternative for urologists skilled in reconstructive laparoscopy.     

Varicocele anatomy during subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy in Chinese men

Knowledge of subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy is of fundamental importance to ensure that varicocele is resolved and testicular function is preserved. Our study aimed to describe the number of veins, arteries and lymphatics in the subinguinal spermatic cord and to clarify their differences between two sides, between patients with different complaints and between varicoceles with different clinical grades. A total of 102 consecutive patients underwent 162 primary subinguinal microsurgical varicocelectomies, during which the number of vessels with different diameters was recorded. A mean number of 12.9 internal spermatic veins, 0.9 external spermatic veins, 1.8 internal spermatic arteries and 2.9 lymphatics were identified per cord. 88.2% of the internal spermatic arteries were surrounded by a dense complex of adherent veins. The external spermatic vein or veins were found in 49.4% of the cases. The mean number of medium (1–3 mm in diameter) internal spermatic veins on the left was larger than that on the right (P < 0.001). The mean number of medium internal spermatic veins in grade III varicocele was larger than that in grade I or grade II (P < 0.015). There was no significant anatomical difference between the men presenting for infertility, chronic testicular pain and both the two complaints.     

外环小切口睾丸提出显微精索静脉结扎术

目的 :探讨外环小切口显微精索静脉结扎术的疗效。　方法 :4 8例精索静脉曲张病人 ,采用外环小切口睾丸提出显微精索静脉结扎术。　结果 :6个月后 ,精液检查各项指标改善者 30例 ,6例不育者配偶已受孕。全部病例无复发 ,无睾丸萎缩及鞘膜积液。　结论 :该术式有并发症少、复发率低及近期效果显著等优点     

Surgical treatment of varicocele by a subinguinal approach combined with antegrade intraoperative sclerotherapy of venous vessels

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy, in terms of recurrences, complications and operative duration, of a new technique for treating varicocele. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between September 1999 and December 2002 we evaluated 307 men aged 17-51 years with varicocele. In all of the men the clinical diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasonography. The men were treated by a variant of the microsurgical technique described in 1994. A 2-3 cm distal subinguinal incision was made at the level of the superficial inguinal ring and the spermatic cord was exposed. The largest vein in the spermatic cord fat was cannulated. A 7-9 cm segment of the spermatic cord was clamped for 8-10 min; at the start of the ischaemia time, 1.5-3 mL of 3% atoxysclerol was injected into the cannulated vein. After sclerotherapy, the vein was ligated at the injection site, and the blood flow to the cord was restored. RESULTS: The mean operative duration was 25 min. Follow-up at 3 and 6 months after surgery, with objective examination and scrotal ultrasonography, revealed one case of clinical recurrence/persistence. The most common complication was penile lymphangitis (nine men) that regressed spontaneously; three men had temporary orchialgia. There were no cases of secondary hydrocele or testicular atrophy. CONCLUSIONS: The modified technique appears to be relatively easy and safe, and to of low cost. Given the promising results in terms of complications and persistence, the treatment appears to be a suitable first-line approach for the surgical treatment of varicocele.