Laparoscopic treatment for varicocele

The study group consisted of 14 male children 7 to 14 years old (mean age 12 years old) who underwent laparoscopic treatment of 15 variococeles between March 1994 and March 1995. The authors describe the technique for laparoscopic ligation of the spermatic vein. This allows easy localization of the enlarged veins on each side and above the internal inguinal ring as well as the presence of collateral veins, which cause recurrence. They use two 5-mm trocars for instrumentation and one 10-mm trocar for the telescope. The technique is simple, inexpensive, and has all the advantages of minimal access surgery.