[Varicocele of the testis. A comparison between laparoscopic and conventional surgery]

We compared the results of laparoscopic varicocelectomy in 11 patients with those of 11 conventional varicocelectomies. There was a significantly longer operating time for laparoscopic surgery (45 versus 35 minutes), but a shorter hospital stay (one versus two days) and a quicker return to normal activity (two versus four days). There was no statistically significant difference in the outcome of surgery in the two groups concerning symptomatology and objective findings, but three patients, all conventionally operated, had no effect of the operation. One patient, operated laparoscopically, had signs of genitofemoral nerve injury. We conclude that laparoscopic varicocelectomy may be superior to conventional surgery, but further evaluation in larger, prospective studies is warranted.