Effectiveness comparison between inguinal and subinguinal surgical approaches of microscopic varicocelectomy for painful varicocele

Objective To compare the effectiveness and operative time between inguinal and subinguinal surgical approaches of microscopic varicocelectomy for painful varicocele. Methods Sixty-eight patients with painful varicocele in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, between July 2011 and June 2013 were divided into 2 groups of inguinal and subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy. Operative time was recorded. Painful release rate, postoperative uncomfortable rate, relapse rate and complications were followed up. Results The operative time of inguinal and subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy were (31±6) min vs (36±8) min, (P<0.05). There was no sinificant difference of painful release rate(94.1% vs 97.1%, P=1.000), postoperative uncomfortable rate (14.7% vs 5.9%, P=0.427), relapse rate(5.9% vs 2.9%, P=1.000), scrotal edema (0% vs 2.9%, P=1.000) and testicular atrothy(0% vs 0%, P=1.000) between the 2 groups. Conclusion Inguinal and subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy are both effective for painful varicocele treatment, and the time-consuming of coinguinal approach seems shorter. Key words: Varicocele; Scrotal pain; Inguinal; Subinguinal