LAPAROSCOPIC VARICOCELECTOMY

We report our initial experience of laparoscopic ligation of varicocel e in 13 patients with a mean age of 34 years (range 18-39). Eight pati ents were subfertile, and the rest complained of dragging pain and dis comfort in the left scrotum. At laparoscopy the peritoneum overlying t he spermatic vessels was divided, and the spermatic veins were mobiliz ed, clipped, and divided. The spermatic artery was identified and pres erved in 11 of the 13 cases. The patients were discharged within 24 h of hospital admission. Semen quality improved in seven of the eight su bfertile patients studied with a mean follow-up of 8 months. Four pati ents who were operated on for pain and discomfort had symptomatic impr ovement by the time of their first outpatient visit at 3 months. One p atient complained of paresthesia along the anterior aspect of his thig h, which resolved in 6 weeks. There were no other complications. Lapar oscopic varicocelectomy is a safe and effective minimally invasive pro cedure for treatment of clinical varicocele.