Testicular blood flow measurements and mean resistive index values after microsurgical and high ligation varicocelectomy.

OBJECTIVES

To compare the effects of the two most commonly used surgical methods in the management of varicocele disease, namely, microsurgery and high-ligation varicocelectomy, on testicular blood flow changes and mean residual index values in a prospective randomized study.

METHODS

A total of 56 patients clinically diagnosed with varicocele were randomized into two groups: 28 were selected for high-ligation surgery and 28 for microsurgery. The testicular blood flow was evaluated in all patients before and 7 days after surgery, and the maximal flow velocity (Vmax), minimal flow velocity, and resistive index were measured. The data assessment was performed using the paired t test, and independent t test was used in comparison of the two groups.

RESULTS

No significant difference was detected between the preoperative resistive index, Vmax, and minimal flow velocity of the two groups. The values of the same parameters measured 7 days postoperatively were also not significantly different. The preoperative and postoperative comparison of the three parameters within the microsurgery group revealed no difference, although the postoperative Vmax was significantly lower than the preoperative Vmax in the high-ligation group.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data have shown that no significant impairment in testicular circulation results after low microsurgical varicocele repair compared with high ligation.