Clinical effects of internal spermatic vein ligation under laparoscopy for the treatment of spermatic varicocele

Objective: To compare the curative effects of selective internal spermatic vein ligation and cluster spermatic vein ligation,both conducted under laparoscopy.Methods:Data of 72 cases with gradeⅡspermatic varicocele that were treated with laparoscopic surgery during August 2009 and October 2011 were enrolled into this study,of which 35 cases underwent selective internal spermatic vein ligation(Group A)and 37 had cluster spermatic vein ligation(Group B).Rate of recurrence,incidence of hydrocele,semen quality,testicular volume index were retrospectively analyzed,and clinical efficacy were compared between the two groups.Results:Surgery were successfully performed in all cases,except 1 case in each group,2-year follow up was conducted.The mean operative times of group A and B was(41.1±9.2)min vs.(21.3±3.8)min,respectively.The quality of semen of both group were significantly improved(P0.05) after the surgery,but no significant difference was found between the two groups(P0.05).No significant difference in hydrocele ipsilateral testicular blood supply,or testicular volume was found after surgery(P all0.05).Incidence of postoperative complications was significant different between the two groups(P0.05).Conclusions:Both selective internal spermatic vein ligation and cluster spermatic vein ligation are effective treatment for varicoele,but Palomo′s technique(cluster spermatic vein ligation) has the advantages of simpler procedure、shorter duration of operation and lower recurrence rate,and can be regarded as better laparoscopic treatment for varicocele.