Evaluation of the success rate and complications of conventional varicocelectomy: Do we need microscopic surgery really?

Abstract

Objective:: Varicocele is the most commonly curable cause of infertility in men. Varicocele is found in 15% of the total male population, 35% of men with primary infertility, and 75%-81% of men with secondary infertility. Generally, patients seek microscopic surgery via surfing the Internet, which is not an available option in all medical centers. The purpose of this study was to determine the success rate and complications of conventional varicocelectomy and to compare it with that of the microscopic method.

Methods:: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 88 patients with varicocele who underwent non-microscopic varicocele surgery in the 15th Khordad Hospital during 2013-2015 were evaluated by the census method.

Results:: The mean age of patients with varicocele was 27.30 years; 52 patients underwent bilateral varicocelectomy and 36 left varicocelectomy. Surgical complications of non-microscopic varicocelectomy in the studied patients included bleeding and hydrocele formation both in 0.7% and recurrence in 2.8%. Testicular atrophy was not observed in any case.

Conclusion:: The incidence of recurrence, hydrocele formation, atrophy, and bleeding in non-microscopic varicocelectomy, if done in accordance with its principles, is not more than the microscopic approach and therefore it could be recommended as a safe surgical treatment in centers where microscopic surgery is not available.

Keywords: Varicocele; infertility; non-microscopic surgery.