Results of microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy in children and adolescents

Abstract

Objectives To report our experience with microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy in boys younger than 18 years old. Methods A total of 92 boys with a mean age of 15.8 years (range 11 to 18) underwent microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy because of ipsilateral testicular hypotrophy (n = 63), pain, or parental preference. The varicoceles were grade III in 82 (89.1%) and grade II in 10 (10.9%) boys. Microsurgery was assisted by an operating microscope (10× to 25×) and Doppler probe. All boys were discharged home on the same day of surgery. Results Of the 92 patients, 78 attended the initial postoperative visit at 1 month and 61 attended the 1-year follow-up visit. At 1 year, 40 (65.6%) of 61 testes demonstrated catch-up growth, with no evidence of testicular loss or persistent hypotrophy in the other 21. The only complication was persistent scrotal pain in 1 patient. At 1 year of follow-up, 1 patient (1.6%) had a recurrence and no patients had hydrocele formation or evidence of testicular loss or persistent hypotrophy. Conclusions Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is a safe, effective, and minimally invasive treatment modality in children and adolescents.