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ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2015 | Volume
: 28
| Issue : 1 | Page : 1-4 |
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Study of inguinal versus retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele
Ayman Ahmed Omar1, Hesham Shafik Abou Greda1, Mohamed Samir Aboulfotoh MBBCh 2
1 Department of General Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Menoufia, Egypt 2 Department of General Surgery, Omm Elmisryeen General Hospital, Giza, Egypt
Date of Submission | 07-May-2014 |
Date of Acceptance | 10-Jul-2014 |
Date of Web Publication | 29-Apr-2015 |
Correspondence Address: Mohamed Samir Aboulfotoh Flat 304, 3rd Floor, 101 Khatam Almorsaleen St, Giza Egypt
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1110-2098.155897
Objective The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of the inguinal approach versus the retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele. Background Published results have shown that the inguinal approach has several advantages over the retroperitoneal approach in terms of lower incidence of recurrence, easier applicability, and greater safety. Patients and methods This prospective study was conducted from April 2013 to February 2014 in Menoufia University hospitals on 40 patients with primary varicocele and subfertility. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 20 patients each. Patients in group I underwent inguinal varicocelectomy, and patients in group II underwent retroperitoneal varicocelectomy. Results The ages of the 40 patients with suspected appendicitis ranged from 16 to 40 years. The mean age was 25.24 years in group I and 27.15 years in group II. Improvement in semen characteristics was seen in 80% of patients (16 in each group). Hematoma formation was observed in two (10%) cases in group I and in no cases in group II. One (5%) patient of group I had hydrocele formation. No testicular atrophy was noticed in the immediate postoperative period in either group. In two (10%) patients of group II there was no symptomatic relief. In group II there was no patient with symptomatic persistence. Conclusion The inguinal approach is superior to the conventional retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele, especially with respect to recurrence rate. Using inguinal approach varicocelectomy, identification and preservation of the testicular artery can be easily carried out. However, semen characteristics improved in both groups. Keywords: Inguinal, retroperitoneal varicocelectomy, subfertility
How to cite this article: Omar AA, Greda HS, Aboulfotoh MS. Study of inguinal versus retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele. Menoufia Med J 2015;28:1-4 |
How to cite this URL: Omar AA, Greda HS, Aboulfotoh MS. Study of inguinal versus retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele. Menoufia Med J [serial online] 2015 [cited 2024 Mar 28];28:1-4. Available from: http://www.mmj.eg.net/text.asp?2015/28/1/1/155897 |
Introduction | | |
Varicocele is an abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform plexus within the spermatic cord [1]. Varicocele is seen in 15% of the normal male population and in up to 35-40% of patients with male infertility [2]. A varicocele is an underlying cause in ~70-81% of patients with secondary infertility [3]. It is a disease that occurs during puberty and is only rarely detected in boys younger than 10 years of age [4].
The diagnosis of varicocele is based on clinical examination and duplex scanning. Duplex scanning can detect the venous reflux and categorize the reflux site. There are five grades of varicocele according to duplex classification: grade I is characterized by a prolonged reflux in vessels in the inguinal channel only during Valsalva's maneuver; grade II is characterized by a small posterior varicosity that reaches the superior pole of the testis; grade III is characterized by vessels that appear enlarged to the inferior pole of the testis; grade IV is diagnosed if vessels appear enlarged; and grade V is characterized by an evident venous ectasia even in an upright position [5].
Varicocele remains the most common specific cause of male infertility, and varicocelectomy is the most frequently performed surgery for male infertility [6]. The WHO investigated the influence of varicocele on fertility in men presenting at infertility clinics and concluded that it is clearly associated with a duration-dependent decline in testicular function and in infertility [7].
The indications for varicocele treatment include scrotal pain, testicular atrophy, and infertility [8].
The treatment options for varicocele can be divided into three major categories:
- conservative treatment including testicular suspending wear, venotonics, and avoiding prolonged standing;
- percutaneous occlusion by intravenous injection of various materials to occlude the varicoceles; and
- surgical repair by ligation or clipping of the varicocele to prevent venous reflux [9].
The most common approaches for surgical repair are inguinal (groin), retroperitoneal (abdominal), which can be achieved either by an open or a laparoscopic approach, and infrainguinal (below the groin) [10].
However, the extent of improvement in semen parameters correlates with the grade of the varicoceles treated, with the biggest improvement seen in men treated for grade III varicocele [11].
Patients and methods | | |
This prospective study was conducted from April 2013 to Febuary 2014 in Menoufia University hospitals on 40 patients with primary varicocele and subfertility. The patients were randomly allocated into two groups of 20 patients each: the patients in group I underwent inguinal varicocelectomy and the patients in group II underwent retroperitoneal varicocelectomy.
Inclusion criteria
Patients aged 16-40 years with primary varicocele and subfertility were included in the study.
Exclusion criteria
Patients with secondary varicocele, those with normal semen characteristics, and recurrent varicocele patients were excluded.
The patients were examined in supine and standing position, and the grade of the varicocele was recorded. Varicoceles were graded as follows: grade I, palpable with the aid of Valsalva's maneuver; grade II, palpable without the aid of Valsalva's maneuver; and grade III, visible without palpation.
All patients underwent preoperative laboratory tests, semen analysis, and scrotal duplex and 6 months' postoperative follow-up semen analysis and scrotal duplex.
Inguinal varicocelectomy is carried out through inguinal incision of about two-finger breadth above the line between the anterior superior iliac spine and the symphysis pubis; the cord is delivered vas and its artery is separated; dilated veins are ligated and the wound is closed in layers. The retroperitoneal approach is through an incision of 3-4 cm medially to the anterior superior iliac spine two fingers above the internal ring cutting the external oblique aponeurosis. The internal oblique and transversus abdominus muscles are dissected, the spermatic artery is separated, the veins are ligated, and then the wound is closed in layers.
Results | | |
The ages of the 40 patients with primary varicocele and subfertility ranged from 16 to 40 years. The mean age was 25.24 years in group I and 27.15 years in group II [Table 1]. | Table 1: Comparison between the two groups with respect to clinical features
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The mean preoperative sperm count was 23.5 × 10 6 /ml and 24.65 × 10 6 /ml in groups I and II, respectively. The mean spermatic motility after 1 h was 43.30 and 43.25% in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.990); the mean spermatic motility after 2 h was 29.70 and 29.75% in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.988); and the mean spermatic motility after 3 h was 21.30 and 20.80% in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.865). The mean proportion of abnormal forms was 43.05 and 43.50% in groups I and II, respectively (P = 0.922), and the mean liquefaction time was 39.25 and 40.50 in groups I and II, respectively [Table 2]. There was significant increase in the mean spermatic count from 23.50 × 10 6 /ml to 36.11 × 10 6 /ml in group I (P < 0.001) and from 24.65 × 10 6 /ml to 36.39 × 10 6 /ml in group II (P < 0.001). The improvement in spermatic count shows no significant difference between the two groups [Table 3]. There was a slightly significant improvement in sperm motility postoperatively in both groups [Table 4].
The operative time was not significantly different in the two groups (25.5 and 26.2 min for groups I and II, respectively) (P = 0.889). The mean duration of hospital stay in the two groups was 1.2 ± 0.32 days in group I and 1.1 ± 0.28 days in group II (P = 0.870) [Table 5]. | Table 5: Operative time, postoperative pain, and hospital stay in both groups
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Out of 40 patients, 5% (one patient) in group I had an infected wound, whereas no infected wounds were seen in group II; one (5%) patient in group I had hydrocele formation, whereas no hydrocele formation was observed in group II; recurrence or persistent symptoms were 10% (two patients) in group II, whereas there was no recurrence in group I [Table 6] [Figure 1],[Figure 2] and [Figure 3].
Discussion | | |
Varicocele is an abnormal dilation of the pampiniform plexus that constitutes the primary drainage of the testis. It is found in ~15% of male adolescents and in 70-80% of men with secondary infertility [12].
Varicocele most frequently appears at the age of 15-25 years and rarely develops after the age of 40 [13].
Several treatment options are available, including spermatic vein sclerotherapy or embolization and open surgical ligation of the varix through a retroperitoneal or inguinal approach. Laparoscopic varicocelectomy has been introduced as an alternative surgical procedure for the repair of varicocele [14].
In our study, there was no significant difference in mean age between the two groups (25.24 and 27.15 years for group I and II, respectively) (P = 0.291), denoting good matching of patients.
On comparing the preoperative semen parameters, no statistically significant differences were found with respect to the mean preoperative spermatic count between the two groups (23.50 × 10 6 /ml and 24.65 × 10 6 /ml in groups I and II, respectively) (P = 0.766). On comparing the postoperative semen parameters, significant increase was found in the mean spermatic count in group I (from 23.50 × 10 6 /ml to 36.11 × 10 6 /ml) (P < 0.001) and in group II (from 24.65 × 10 6 /ml to 36.39 × 10 6 /ml) (P < 0.001). The improvement in spermatic count showed no significant difference between the two groups.
No significant difference was found in the operative time between the first and second groups (25.5 and 26.2 min for groups I and II, respectively) (P = 0.889).
Patients in the two groups showed no difference with respect to the frequency and dosage of postoperative analgesics.
Hospital stay was not significantly different between the two study groups (1.2 ± 0.32 days in group I and 1.1 ± 0.28 days in group II) (P = 0.870).
The persistence or recurrence rate was 10% in the retroperitoneal group, whereas there were no cases of persistence or recurrence in the inguinal group. There was one case with hydrocele formation in group I and no such cases in group II. There were two cases with hematoma formation in group I and no such cases in group II.
The use of inguinal approach varicocelectomy is better than the retroperitoneal approach especially with respect to recurrence rate. With inguinal approach varicocelectomy, identification and preservation of the testicular artery can be easily carried out. However, hydrocele formation was more in inguinal varicocelectomy.
Conclusion | | |
The inguinal approach is superior to the conventional retroperitoneal approach in the treatment of varicocele, especially with respect to recurrence rate. Using inguinal approach varicocelectomy, identification and preservation of testicular artery can be easily carried out.
Acknowledgements | | |
Conflicts of interest
There are no conflicts of interest.
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[Figure 1], [Figure 2], [Figure 3]
[Table 1], [Table 2], [Table 3], [Table 4], [Table 5], [Table 6]
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