Positive effects of the inclusion of open-mouth pressure for elimination of blood in microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy.

PURPOSES: Primary varicocele (PVC) may cause testicular hypofunction and scrotal pain. We believe that the currently used procedure microscopic subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV) can be further improved to provide more benefits to the patients.

METHODS

In total, 100 patients who were diagnosed as having PVC grade II or III with venous reflux based on ultrasound results, along with scrotal pain and visible scrotal varicose veins, were enrolled; they were randomly divided into two groups. When the experimental group underwent MSV, stagnant venous blood in the internal spermatic vein close to the testis was drained using manual pressure, whereas the control group was treated with routine MSV procedure. The patients' psychological condition, symptoms, prognoses, scrotal appearances, and other related indexes were evaluated before and after the surgeries, and the results were compared.

RESULTS

Scores on days 1-3 after the surgeries were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.05) for the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) after viewing the scrotum immediately after the surgeries, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) after viewing the scrotum immediately after the surgeries, and the average visual analog scale (VAS). No significant differences were found between the groups for other evaluation indexes (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of open-mouth pressure for elimination of blood reduces postoperative filling of dilated scrotal veins, reduces the visual stimuli to patients immediately after surgery, significantly improves the anxiety and depression of patients, helps to maintain positive mental condition in patients after the surgeries, and increases their confidence in recovery from the disease. It also leads to better pain relief within a short period after the surgery and maximizes surgical benefits for the patients.