Huang St

HIGH INGUINAL LOUPE-ASSISTED VARICOCELECTOMY FOR SUBFERTILE MEN WITH VARICOCOCELES: TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY, CLINICAL OUTCOMES AND COMPLICATIONS

254 consecutive patients underwent high inguinal loupe-assisted varicocelectomy. All patients had at least a one year history of infertility with abnormal semen parameters and physical examination and/or color Doppler ultrasound proven varicocele. To facilitate the procedure, an × 3.0 loupe was used during spermatic cord dissection near or at level of internal inguinal ring. Semen analysis and physical examination were performed at 3 monthly intervals. No intra-operative complications occurred. The most common post-operative complications were transient scrotal pain and stitch reaction, occurring in 12% and 4% of men, respectively. Only one permanent and two transient hydroceles were observed. Recurrent or persistent varicocele was identified by physical examination and color Doppler in 5 varicocelectomies (1.4%), and by color Doppler only in 6 varicocelectomies (1.7%). Sperm motility increased from 30 ± 8% to 46 ± 20%, and sperm concentration. (106/cc) increased from 24 ± 18 to 41 ± 28. The one-year pregnancy rate was 37%. High inguinal loupe-assisted varicocelectomy is a safe, simple, and effective treatment for varicocele.

LOUPE-ASSISTED MODIFIED ONE-LAYER VASOVASOSTOMY

Several studies indicate that microsurgical modified one-layer vasovasostomy is comparable to the two-layer anastomosis with respect to patency and pregnancy rates. The objective of this study was to determine the feasibility and result of modified one-layer vasovasostomy under loupe magnification only. Thirty-two patients aged 28 to 64 years (mean 41.3±6 years) underwent vasovasostomy at CGMH from July 1997 to June 2002, with all operations being a modified one-layer anastomosis created with the aid of a 3 × loupe. The estimated duration of vasectomy ranged from 4 months to 27 years, with a mean of 9.2±4.8 years. Postoperative semen analysis and pregnancy were examined. Each patient was followed up at 1,4, and 12 weeks postoperatively. The total operation time ranged from 118 to 228 minutes (average 150±35 minutes). There was no operation-related complication such as hematoma or wound infection. The patency rate was 89% (25/28), and the pregnancy rate at 2 years or more of follow-up was 39% (11/28). The patency and pregnancy rates were similar to those obtained in most studies of microsurgical vasovasostomy. For uncomplicated vasectomy reversal, this simple loupe-assisted modified one-layer vasovasostomy seems to provide an adequate anastomosis.