[Microscopic versus laparoscopic varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele: effects and complications].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects and postoperative complications of microscopic varicocelectomy (MV) and laparoscopic varicocelectomy (LV) in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODS

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.

RESULTS

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).

CONCLUSION

MV is superior to LV for its minimal invasiveness, economical anesthesia, faster recovery and lower rates of postoperative complications and recurrence.