Umbilical laparoendoscopic single site surgery versus inguinal varicocelectomy for bilateral varicocele: a comparative study

Abstract

We aimed to determine the efficacy of umbilical laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) bilateral varicocelectomy on the basis of a comparative study versus open inguinal bilateral varicocelectomy. We enrolled 39 patients who underwent bilateral varicocelectomy with predetermined surgical indications at two hospitals with either the LESS (n = 19) or the open inguinal approach (n = 20). Operative time, operation-related pain (10-point visual analog pain scale), catch-up growth of the testes, semen parameters, and complications after surgery between the LESS group and the open group at 3 months after surgery were compared. Operative times were 46.8 and 72.8 min (P < 0.001) in the LESS and open surgery groups, respectively. Patients in the LESS group reported lower surgery-related pain than those in the open surgery group at 3 months (2.5 vs 1.2, P = 0.029). A significant improvement in terms of semen concentration, motility, catch-up growth of the bilateral testes was observed in both groups, although no significant differences were detected between the groups. Postoperative complications were also similar between the two groups. LESS varicocelectomy required a shorter operative time than inguinal varicocelectomy for bilateral cases. In addition, the LESS procedure showed less postoperative pain and cosmetic benefits with similar seminal outcomes. Thus, LESS for patients undergoing bilateral varicocelectomy represents a promising surgical approach.