Korean J Androl.  2008 Sep;26(3):153-157.

Changes in Semen Parameters After Varicocelectomy: a Comparative Study of the Laparoscopic and Microsurgical Inguinal Approach

• Gil MC
• Shin CW
• Jo JW
• Kim SD
• Gang DY
• Chung JI
• Jung SI

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the surgical outcomes of two different surgical methods for varicocelectomy, and to assess the effects of varicocelectomy on semen parameters in subinfertile men.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study included 63 patients with clinically palpable varicocele and abnormal semen parameters who underwent varicocelectomy. Thirty-three patients underwent laparoscopic varicocelectomy, and 30 received microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy. Semen analyses were performed 5.3 months later, and compared with the pre-operative data.
RESULTS
The mean age of patients was 32.1+/-1.3 years old. Comparison of the semen parameters between pre and post-varicocelectomy revealed significant improvement in the sperm count (p<0.05). In laparoscopic and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy, the sperm counts were increased from 16.2+/-4.3 to 30.6+/-7.5 and from 15.4+/-3.8 to 37.5+/-7.7, respectively. Sperm motility also tended to improve.
CONCLUSIONS
Varicocelectomy enhanced semen parameters after both laparoscopic and microsurgical methods. In subfertile men, early varicocelectomy is recommended.

Keyword

Cocoa extract; Corpus cavernosal tissue; Erectile function

MeSH Terms

Humans
Male
Semen
Semen Analysis
Sperm Count
Sperm Motility
Varicocele