title: Comparison between Open Epididymal Cystectomy and Minimal Resection of Epididymal Cysts Using a Scrotoscope: A Clinical Trial for the Evaluation of a New Surgical Technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To provide a new surgical technique for epididymal cyst (EC) treatment and to assess its safety and efficiency.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-eight patients with symptomatic EC were randomized into 2 groups. One group (n = 23) received traditional open epididymal cystectomy (OEC) and the other group (n = 25) underwent minimal epididymal cystectomy with scrotoscope (MECS), which provided a clear vision of scrotal contents. Demographic information and perioperative and postoperative outcomes data were obtained and analyzed during a 2- to 6-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences between the OEC and MECS groups were found in demographic information. Compared with OEC group, the MECS group had a shorter operating time (18.6 ± 2.9 vs 54.5 ± 7.0 minutes; P <.05), shorter incision length (1.1 ± 0.2 vs 4.8 ± 0.6 cm; P <.05), and less blood loss (4.6 ± 1.6 vs 17.0 ± 3.1 g; P <.05). Except for the 8.0% rate (2 of 25) of scrotal edema after MECS and 17.4% rate (4 of 23) of scrotal hematoma after OEC, both groups resulted in 0% incidence of testis or epididymis injury, wound infection, and cyst recurrence based on postoperative outcome data. Significant differences were observed after MECS compared with those after OEC based on the rates of symptom relief (95.2% vs 61.1%; P <.05) and days of wound pain (12.1 ± 2.6 vs 17.7 ± 4.1 days; P <.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the first time, our study applied scrotoscope as a new alternative technique for EC treatment. Scrotoscope provides a clear field of vision and makes tissues harvested available for pathologic examination when performing decortications of EC. The results suggest MECS may be a safe, effective, and encouraging new technique.
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China. Electronic address: yjinrui2012@163.com.
authors: Jin-rui
authors: JR
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China; Department of Urology, Fujian Provincial Hospital, The Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P.R. China.
authors: Yong-bao
authors: YB
authors: Wei
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
authors: Bin
authors: B
authors: Yan
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
authors: Zhuo
authors: Z
authors: Yin
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
authors: Yun-Liang
authors: YL
authors: Gao
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
authors: Zhao
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Urology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.
authors: Ke-qin
authors: KQ
authors: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003560:Cysts / Q000601:surgery*; D004822:Epididymis / Q000601:surgery*; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D012611:Scrotum; D013521:Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male / Q000379:methods