Smaller ports result in shorter convalescence after laparoscopic varicocelectomy

Abstract

Minimal postoperative pain and a shorter convalescence after laparoscopic surgery are attributable to the small puncture wounds produced to accommodate trocars. We investigated the effects of trocar size on convalescence after 37 laparoscopic varicocelectomies. The initial 21 patients underwent the procedure with 2, 10 mm. ports and 1, 5 mm. port, while the last 16 underwent surgery with 3, 5 mm. ports. Postoperative convalescence was evaluated by a questionnaire. The patients who underwent the 5 mm. port technique achieved complete pain relief, returned to work and could resume work at preoperative levels significantly earlier than those who underwent the 10 mm. port technique (2.4 +/- 1.5 days versus 5.9 +/- 4.8 days, p < 0.03; 8.2 +/- 3.1 days versus 10.0 +/- 2.5 days, p < 0.03, and 10.2 +/- 4.4 days versus 14.3 +/- 6.5 days, p < 0.03, respectively). Our study showed that laparoscopic surgery with smaller ports resulted in less postoperative pain and a shorter convalescence than when larger 10 mm. ports were used.