Varicocelectomy via inguinal or sub inguinal route

What is it?

Varicocele is a clinical condition characterized by abnormal dilation of the testicular veins that form the pampiniform plexus. This condition is very frequent in the male population, generally arises during puberty, involves in most cases the left testicle and can present with different entities and severity. In most cases varicocele does not cause any consequences. In more advanced cases, this is associated with local pain and reduced male fertility. 

Technical difficulty:
low
Average duration of the intervention:
45 minutes
Average duration of hospitalization:
Day Hospital

When is this procedure indicated?

Treatment of varicocele is exclusively surgical. Surgery is indicated in case of symptomatic varicocele or when it is identified as a male factor responsible for infertility of the couple.

How is it performed?

The preferred routes of surgical access are inguinal or sub-inguinal, which allow a better exposure of the vascular structures to be identified (spermatic artery, veins and lymphatic vessels), and are associated with a lower risk of complications.

In the traditional inguinal varicocelectomy, an incision of about 2 cm is made along the inguinal canal, and the structures of the spermatic cord, i.e. venous, arterial and lymphatic vessels of the testicle and the vas deferens, are identified and isolated. Then the dilated testicular veins are identified, ligated and, if necessary, dissected. Subsequently, the funiculus is repositioned on its bed and the planes are carefully sutured to the skin, where a small scar remains.
In the subinguinal approach, the method of ligation of the testicular veins is the same, while the skin incision is conducted just below the level of the external inguinal ring, thus avoiding the opening of the external oblique muscle.

For a more precise identification of anatomical structures, specific surgical glasses are used that allow optical magnification. The microsurgical technique is the one that today presents the best success rates and the lowest incidence of complications, such as hydrocele (peritesticular liquid collection due to lymphatic obstruction after surgery), lesion of the spermatic artery (0.1% in our case history) and recurrence of varicocele (5% in our case history). There was an improvement in the spermiogram in 30-80% of patients, with pregnancy rates between 20 and 60%. The operation, if the clinical conditions of the patient allow it, is performed under loco-regional (spinal) anesthesia, lasts about 45 minutes and is conducted in day surgery.

Read moreRead less

Recovery

The intervention is performed in day surgery, so all patients are discharged the same evening of the procedure. Return to daily activities is immediate with the exception of avoiding intense physical exertion or local traumatic activities for at least 2 weeks.

Short-term complications

Local pain, bleeding, wound infection.

Long-term complications

Reactive hydrocele, testicular atrophy, recurrence of varicocele.

Are you interested in receiving the treatment?

Contact us and we will take care of you.