Background: Varicocele is characterized by abnormal dilatation of the pampiniform plexus veins and is seen in 14-20% of adolescent males. Treatment options are laparoscopic Palomo varicocele ligation (LPV) and microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MV). It is aimed to evaluate the results of patients who underwent surgical treatment for adolescent varicocele.
Methods: The data of patients operated on for varicocele between 2012-2021 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were grouped as LPV and MV according to the surgical method applied and evaluated in terms of treatment and follow-up results.
Results: Forty-three patients aged 14.6±1.8 years were operated on for left-sided varicocele. LPV was applied to 29 (67.4%) and MV to 14 (32.6%). Operation duration was 54.4±15.3 minutes in LPV and 98.9±36.8 minutes in MV (p<0.0001). No intraoperative complications were seen. The mean follow-up duration was two years (6 months-5 years). In 62.5% of the patients with preoperative testicular atrophy, the operated testicle caught the size of the right testicle in 12 months. Testicular atrophy was not seen in any patients. Scrotal pain regressed in all. Four patients (9.3%) developed complications. Hydrocele was seen in one patient after MV and two patients after LPV. Recurrence was detected in one patient. The two groups had no statistical difference regarding complications (p=1,000).
Conclusion: With surgical treatment of adolescent varicoceles, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms related to varicocele, such as pain, and reverse the atrophy process in the testicle. While operative durations are shorter and easy to apply in LPV, MV has lower complication rates.