Outcomes of Laparoscopic Varicocele Ligation in Patients Presenting with Painful Varicocele
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51985/Keywords:
Laparoscopy; Pain Measurement; Treatment Outcome; VaricoceleAbstract
Objectives: To determine the outcomes of laparoscopic varicocele ligation in patients presenting with painful varicocele, in terms of pain response after surgery and associated clinical parameters.
Study Design and Setting: This prospective longitudinal study was conducted at the Department of Urology, Sindh Institute of Urology and Transplantation (SIUT), Karachi, from 3rd June 2025 to 3rd January 2026.
Methodology: A consecutive sampling method was used to enrol 54 male patients aged 18 to 70 years presenting with painful varicocele. Laparoscopic varicocele ligation was performed, and pain response, pampiniform plexus vein diameter and testicular volume were assessed at one week and three months. Data were analysed using paired t-tests, independent t-tests and Fisher's exact test, with significance set at p = 0.05.
Results: The mean age was 27.31 ± 9.05 years. Complete pain resolution occurred in 46 patients (85.2%; 95% CI 73.4–92.3). At three months, VAS scores declined from 6.43 ± 1.32 to 1.09 ± [SD from SPSS] (mean change 5.33; 95% CI 4.60–6.06; p<0.001). The pampiniform plexus diameter decreased from 3.72 ± 0.66 mm to 2.37 ± 0.81 mm (mean change 1.35 mm; 95% CI 1.24–1.46; p<0.001), and testicular volume increased from 15.93 ± 3.15 ml to 16.97 ± 2.64 ml (mean change 1.03 ml; 95% CI 0.08–1.98; p=0.033). Baseline characteristics showed no significant association with treatment response.
Conclusions: In this small single-centre cohort, laparoscopic varicocele ligation was associated with reduced varicocelerelated pain and improved ultrasonographic parameters at three months. Larger comparative studies with longer followup are needed.
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