'Preemptive hydrocelectomy' in subinguinal varicocelectomy.

Background/aims: The hydrocele rate is very low after microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy, but microsurgical expertise is not always available in pediatric centers. We describe a modified technique to reduce the hydrocele rate after subinguinal varicocelectomy performed without an operating microscope.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 142 non-microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomies performed at a single pediatric center. In 96 patients, varicocelectomy was combined with the excision and eversion of the tunica vaginalis ('pre-emptive hydrocelectomy') while in the remaining 46 cases the vaginalis was left untouched.

Results: Pre-emptive hydrocelectomy allowed a significant reduction in the hydrocele rate in comparison to cases in whom the vaginalis was left untouched, hydrocele rate 4.3 vs. 13% (p = 0.04). In patients undergoing preemptive hydrocelectomy, hydrocele occurred in 3 of 54 (5.5%) cases in whom the vaginalis was only excised and only 1 of 42 (2.4%) in whom it was also everted. No testicular complications were observed.

Conclusions: In centers performing subinguinal varicocelectomy without the aid of an operating microscope, pre-emptive hydrocelectomy with eversion of the vaginalis might be offered as an adjunctive treatment with limited associated morbidity that might be able to reduce the incidence of postoperative hydrocele.