RESULTS OF VARICOCELE SURGERY: A COMPARISON OF LAPAROSCOPIC AND CONVENTIENTIAL OPEN HIGH LIGATION

Aim: Varicocele is the most frequently observed surgically correctable cause of male infertility. We aim at to 
evaluate the advantages and the shortcomings of laparoscopic and conventiential open high ligation of 
varicocele. 
Methods: a total of 110 patients were operated on for varicocele to evaluate the clinical efficacy of the 
treatment, the patients were divided into two groups, open varicocelectomy was performed on 50 patients 
(group 1) and laparoscopic varicocelectomy was performed on 60 patients (group 2). In both groups, the 
operations were performed by Palomo,s technique by ligation of the vein in the retroperitoneum above the 
internal ring with the preservation of the artery .
Results: The mean hospital stay in open varicocelectomy was longer than in laparoscopic group (with 
average 3 days and 1.5 days, respectively). Also, patients of laparoscopic varicocelectomy returned earlier to 
their normal activities (with average 9days and 4.5 days, respectively). Recurrence rates were 6% and 3.3% 
respectively, postoperative hydrocele occurrence was 4% and 1.7% respectively, wound complication was 
6% versus 1.7% and scrotal edema was 8% versus 1.7% in laparoscopic group. Also postoperative pain was 
less in laparoscopic group. Seminal analysis improved in both groups.
Conclusion: Compared to open varicocelectomy, laparoscopic varicocelectomy had shorter convalescence, 
early return to normal activities and less postoperative morbidity.