World J Mens Health.  2014 Aug;32(2):93-98. 10.5534/wjmh.2014.32.2.93.

Magnification-Assisted Subinguinal Varicocelectomy with Testicular Delivery in Children: A Preliminary Report

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Jeju National University Hospital, Jeju National University School of Medicine, Jeju, Korea.
  • 2Department of Urology, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea.
  • 3Department of Urology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Urology, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Korea. scpark@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate the effectiveness of magnification-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy (MASV) with testicular delivery in children with severe varicocele.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 23 children 15 years or younger (mean age, 12.3+/-1.8 years) who underwent MASV with testicular delivery and ligation of all collateral veins except arteries and deferential veins between January 2010 and January 2014. All patients had grade 3 varicocele on the left side. Varicocelectomy was decided upon due to scrotal hypotrophy (n=14, 60.9%), the existence of mass (n=6, 26.1%, including 1 recurrent case), and discomfort (n=3, 13.0%). The preservation of internal spermatic artery (ISA) was successful in 8 patients (34.8%). The mean follow-up time was 10.8+/-6.6 months.
RESULTS
The surgical success rate of varicocelectomy was 100%. The overall symptom resolution rate was 91.3%. The scrotal mass and discomfort disappeared, but testicular catch-up growth did not occur in 2 among 14 patients with scrotal hypotrophy. The left testis volume increased from 6.5+/-4.3 mL to 10.6+/-7.5 mL (p=0.003). There were no significant inter-group differences in terms of the surgical success rate, symptom resolution, and catch-up growth between the ISA preservation group and the ligation group. None of the subjects demonstrated testicular atrophy or hydrocele after surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
MASV with testicular delivery is an effective and safe method for children with severe varicocele.

Keyword

Recurrence; Treatment outcome; Varicocele

MeSH Terms

Arteries
Atrophy
Child*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Ligation
Recurrence
Retrospective Studies
Testis
Treatment Outcome
Varicocele
Veins

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The process of magnification-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy with testicular delivery.


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