1College of Medicine, Ibn Sina University of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Baghdad, Iraq
2Medical College, AL-Anbar University, Iraq
One of the common complications of varicocele surgical treatment is the post-operative hydrocele (PH). A ‘window’ in tunica vaginalis we describe here as a PH prevention procedure modification.
From January 2010 to January 2015, 300 patients, aged 17–39 year old referred to AL-RAMADI TEACHING HOSPITAL in ANBAR, IRAQ, were involved in a case controlled study. They were referred for Varicocelectomy. The patients were into 2 equal groups each of 150 patients. Group A; underwent Sub-inguinal repair without modification, and group B; underwent Subinguinal repair with Window hydrocelectomy. Patients in both groups were evaluated for 12 months.
The age of patients ranged from 17 to 37 years in group A (mean 28±4.3), 18–39 years in group B (mean 27±5.1), there was no significant difference between the two groups. None of the patients in the Subinguinal repair with Window hydrocelectomy group developed post-operative hydroceles, while 24 (16%) of patients in the Subinguinal repair without modification group developed post-operative hydroceles, (P= 0.005) which is statistically highly significant. Non-significant difference was reported with other parameters between group A and B.
Patient follow up, recurrent varicocele was seen in 5 patients in group A and 3 in group B which is statistically non-significant. The seminal fluid parameters improved in 94 patients in group A and in 96 patients in group B with statistically non-significant difference. Wound infection occurred in 3 patients in group A and 4 patients in group B with no significant difference (p value > 0.05).
Window hydrocelectomy is safe and effective in preventing postvaricocelectomy hydrocele formation.
Varicocele, varicelectomy, hydrocele, complications, outcome
