Laparoscopic versus open surgical management of idiopathic varicocele: a study on 100 patients

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic varicocele is common condition encountered in surgical practice requiring surgical correction. Open surgical technique had been in use for long but laparoscopic varicocelectomy is another choice for its management.Methods: This is a prospective study on 100 patients. 70 patients were subjected to laparoscopic and 30 to open inguinal varicocelectomy.Results: Majority of patients were between 16 to 25 years of age. 55% were asymptomatic and 10% had infertility. Grade II varicocele was observed in 50% patients. All patients had left side involvement with bilateral varicocele in 2% patients. Mean operating was 13.8 min in unilateral and 17.3 min in bilateral laparoscopic varicocelectomy whereas it was 27.55 min in unilateral and 49.7 min in bilateral open varicocelectomy. 5.7% and 6.6% had secondary hydrocele and hospital stay was 1.25 and 3.4 days in laparoscopic and open group respectively.Conclusions: Laparoscopic varicocelectomy is safe, effective procedure with less post-operative pain and analgesic requirement. It also has shorter operating time and post-operative hospital stay. Procedures like opposite varicocele, herniotomy, adhesiolysis or orchiopexy can also be done.