title: Varicocele and adolescents: semen quality after 2 different laparoscopic procedures.
abstract: The aim of this prospective study was to assess long-term functional results (spermiograms) in subjects who underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy via either of 2 procedures (ligation or preservation of testicular artery). A total of 122 patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy performed via either of the 2 different procedures: complete ligation of the spermatic vessels or preservation of the spermatic artery. After surgery when patients achieved 18 years, they were asked to undergo semen analysis. Spermiogram results were divided into 2 subgroups: "normal" and "abnormal." We analyzed volume, sperm count per mL, percentage of motile spermatozoa, percentage of normal spermatozoa, and percentage of vitality for each group. Both groups showed the same results in terms of "normal" and "abnormal" spermiograms (World Health Organization criteria), but analysis showed higher sperm concentration per mL, sperm motility, volume, vitality, and rate of morphologically normal sperm for the group with arteries preserved and "normal" spermiograms (P < .01). Analysis of data from the spermiograms showed that preservation of the testicular artery was the best possible option in terms of semen quality. Therefore, we believe that surgical treatment of varicocele should be carried out using procedures involving artery preservation.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgical Unit, Policlinico "G. B. Rossi," Piazzale L.A. Scuro-37134, Verona, Italy. dr.zampieri@libero.it
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zampieri
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Zuin
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Corroppolo
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chironi
authors.forename: Raimondo Maximillian
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Cervellione
authors.forename: Francesco Saverio
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Camoglio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000601:surgery*