The D.R.G. system in the minimally invasive treatment of varicocele. Our experience

Abstract

This paper reports our experience in the surgical treatment of varicocele; 134 patients were operated upon, 78 with retroperitoneal approach under general anaesthesia and 56 with inguinal approach under local anaesthesia. We evaluated the patients’ compliance, the cost of the procedure, the frequency of complications and the recurrence rate. We strongly advise the inguinal approach as the procedure of choice because patient compliance is greater, recovery faster and the cost is lower. We are compelled, however, to keep the patient in hospital for two days because of the D.R.G. payment system.