Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy.

Abstract

Varicocele is the most frequently observed surgically correctable cause of male infertility. Traditional approaches to the surgical repair of varicocele include retroperitoneal and inguinal operations. The incidence of persistent or recurrent varicocele following surgical repair in adults varies from 5 to 45%. Attempts at decreasing the complication and recurrence rates following varicocelectomy have included microsurgical approaches. These methods have the advantage that the testicular artery and lymphatics can be identified and preserved. The use of some microsurgical methods can also decrease the incidence of hydrocele formation and testicular artery injury. We describe our microscopic procedure and report the results obtained with this method.