Comparison of inguinal and laparoscopic approaches in the treatment of varicocele.

To determine the pros and cons of inguinal and laparoscopic varix ligation techniques, we reviewed 53 patients who underwent inguinal (n = 35) and laparoscopic (n = 18) varicocelectomy at two centers. Intraoperative complications were not observed in either of the groups. There was 1 recurrence and 1 persistence in the laparoscopically treated patients.

Microsurgical vaso-epididymostomy in 2 layers.

Eleven patients with epididymal obstruction were treated with microsurgical techniques. A 2-layer, end-to-side anastomosis between the vas deferens and a single loop of the epididymal duct was created. At follow-up, 9 patients had spermatozoa in their ejaculate and 3 of them achieved pregnancies with their partners.

Vascular corrosion casts of the dog testis after experimental microvascular surgical orchiopexy. A scanning electron microscope study.

Five mongrel dogs underwent microvascular surgical orchiopexy by anastomosing the testicular artery and vein with the respective caudal epigastric vessels. In order to assess the effect of a 40 to 50-min period of warm ischaemia (the time required to make the anastomosis) on the testicular blood vasculature, plastic corrosion casts were made of the operated testes and compared with non-operated control specimens. The resulting blood vessel casts were inspected in the scanning electron microscope.

Use of laparoscopy for the localization of impalpable testes.

Laparoscopy is a simple, safe and sure diagnostic method in order to visualize an abdominal testis. When there is no abdominal testis at laparoscopy, the vas deferens and the testicular vessels have to be looked for very carefully. When both these structures pass through the internal inguinal ring, operation can be limited to the inguinal region.