Introduction and Objectives
Treatment of varicocele in children is frequently debated. Several techniques have been proposed to solve this problem. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of open suprainguinal michrochirurgical lymphatic sparing varicocelectomy in the treatment of varicocele in children and adolescents.
Material and Methods
Total of 255 patients between the ages 11 to 18 years, who suffered from left-sided varicocele grade II–III, were treated with the open suprainguinal microscopic lymphatic sparing varicocelectomy. We reviewed the results of open suprainguinal microscopic lymphatic sparing varicocelectomy in children and adolescents performed in our department from January 2000 to December 2008.
Results
The rate of hydrocele was 1.96%. The rate of recurrence was 7.84%. No other complications (testicular atrophy, wound infection) were observed in this group. All patients with varicocele recurrence were scheduled for antegrade phlebography. Persistent shunting veins (missed during former surgery) were identified in 12 patients. These patients underwent repeated surgery with 100% success rate. A diagnosis of “distal nutcracker phenomenon” as a cause of varicocele was made in remaining 8 patients.
Conclusions
Open suprainguinal microchirurgical lymphatic sparing varicocelectomy is a safe, minimaly invasive technique with low incidence of complications. We recommend this technique as a treatment of choice.
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Copyright
© 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
