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Varicocele: Laparoscopic clipping and color Doppler follow-up
1Division of Pediatric Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Center, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, SAR, China.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of laparoscopic treatment of varicocele and findings of testicular volume and blood supply using color Doppler ultrasound scan on follow-up.
Methods:
Fourteen patients aged 7 to 15 years old (median, 12.3 years) with left varicocele (grade II, n = 4; grade III, n = 10) underwent laparoscopic clipping of internal testicular vein and artery. At follow-up, both testes were scanned by ultrasonography in axial and longitudinal planes, and at least 3 measurements-length, width, and thickness-were taken to calculate testicular volumes. Arterial perfusion of the testes also was assessed.
Results:
Operating time ranged from 25 to 80 minutes (mean, 60 minutes). There was no perioperative complication. At a mean follow-up of 14 months (range, 2 to 39 months) all children were asymptomatic with disappearance of varicocele. The volumes of bilateral testes were equal (difference in volumes less than 10%) in 9 children. Ipsilateral testicular hypertrophy was found in 3 children. There was no difference in arterial perfusion between the testes in each patient. Small transient ipsilateral hydrocele was observed in 2 patients.
Conclusion:
Laparoscopic clipping of testicular vein and artery was simple and effective for varicocele treatment and did not compromise testicular blood supply.