title: [Comparative analysis of three different surgical approaches to varicocelectomy].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare three different surgical approaches to varicocelectomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight cases of varicocelectomy performed in our hospital between January 2006 and January 2008 were divided into an retroperitoneal high ligation group (n = 44), a laparoscopy group (n = 12) and a microsurgery group (n = 32), and retrospectively analyzed for postoperative semen quality, recurrence, early complications, hospital stay, and medical cost.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rates of semen quality improvement were 56.52% (13/23), 66.67% (4/6) and 78.26% (18/23) , the rates of recurrence were 25% (8/32), 22.22% (2/9) and 7.41% (2/27), and the medical costs were RMB yen (1984 +/- 126), (8576 +/- 547) and (2159 +/- 298), respectively, in the retroperitoneal high ligation, laparoscopy and microsurgery groups (P < 0.05). None experienced serious early complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Microsurgery is obviously superior to retroperitoneal high ligation and laparoscopic approaches in improving semen quality and preventing postoperative recurrence, and, with its advantages of minor invasiveness and quick recovery, is preferred by most patients. Laparoscopy, however, ranks highest in medical cost.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China.
authors.forename: Xiang-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Xin
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Yi-Dong
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ping
authors.forename: Yong-Hui
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sun
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult