Laparoscopic versus subinguinal varicocelectomy: a comparative study.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relative advantages of the laparoscopic approach to varicocelectomy, postoperative morbidity and pain in patients undergoing subinguinal varicocelectomies were compared with that of patients undergoing laparoscopic varicocele repairs.


METHODS
Retrospective study of concurrent groups of patients undergoing laparoscopic or open subinguinal varicocele repairs.


METHODS
Tertiary teaching hospital.


METHODS
Forty-seven patients with primary or secondary infertility.


METHODS
Patients were offered a choice between a laparoscopic or open subinguinal varicocele repair.


METHODS
The total number of pain pills used, the number of days of analgesics, and the number of days off from work after surgery were recorded.


RESULTS
Fourteen patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomies, and 33 patients underwent subinguinal varicocelectomies. Analgesic use by the laparoscopic patients was no different from that of the subinguinal patients. The length of time off from work was significantly longer for the laparoscopic patients (6.4 days) as compared with the time off from work for the patients who underwent subinguinal varicocele repairs (2.6 days).


CONCLUSIONS
The subinguinal varicocele repair performed with local anesthesia is a safe, low morbid technique offering a quicker recovery period than laparoscopic approaches. Although laparoscopic repairs may offer a shorter recovery period when compared with standard inguinal varicocelectomies, this is not the case when compared with subinguinal approaches.
Enquist
E
E
Division of Urology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.
Stein
B S
BS
Sigman
M
M
D000328:Adult; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*