title: Laparoendoscopic single-site surgery with a single channel versus conventional laparoscopic varicocele ligation: a prospective randomized study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single channel laparoscopy in the treatment of patients with varicocele.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ninety patients with clinically palpable varicoceles were randomly assigned to receive laparoendoscopic single-site with a single channel varicocele ligation (LESS[sc]-VL) (n=45) or conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic varicocele ligation (CTL-VL) (n=45). Patient characteristics, perioperative details, total procedural cost, time to return to work, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, semen parameters, and cosmetic results were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in operative time (P=0.102), postoperative hospitalization time (P=0.130), total cost (P=0.112), or postoperative complications (P>0.05) between the two groups. Time to return to normal activities was shorter in the LESS(sc)-VL group than that in the CTL-VL group (P=0.018). The mean of all semen parameters were improved statistically 3 months after ligation (P<0.001). The VAS incision pain score was significantly lower 6 and 24 hours after surgery in patients who underwent LESS(sc)-VL(P<0.05). Patients who underwent LESS(sc)-VL had a better cosmetic result, reflected by both the verbal response scale and the numeric scale (P=0.008 and P=0.005, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LESS(sc)-VL is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical alternative for varicocelectomy. Compared with CTL-VL, LESS(sc)-VL may decrease postoperative pain and hide the surgical incision better within the umbilicus.
authors: 1 Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University , Suzhou, China .
authors: Jian
authors: J
authors: Wang
authors: Boxin
authors: B
authors: Xue
authors: Yu-xi
authors: YX
authors: Shan
authors: Yong
authors: Y
authors: Cui
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Tao
authors: Jin
authors: J
authors: Zhu
authors: Xiaolong
authors: X
authors: Liu
authors: Qiu
authors: Q
authors: Yao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D008026:Ligation; D008297:Male; D061646:Operative Time; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult