Laparoendoscopic Single-Site Surgery with a Single Channel Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Varicocele Ligation: A Prospective Randomized Study

Abstract Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of single channel laparoscopy in the treatment of patients with varicocele. Patients and Methods: Ninety patients with clinically palpable varicoceles were randomly assigned to receive laparoendoscopic single-site with a single channel varicocele ligation (LESS[sc]-VL) (n=45) or conventional transperitoneal laparoscopic varicocele ligation (CTL-VL) (n=45). Patient characteristics, perioperative details, total procedural cost, time to return to work, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, semen parameters, and cosmetic results were recorded. Results: There were no differences in operative time (P=0.102), postoperative hospitalization time (P=0.130), total cost (P=0.112), or postoperative complications (P>0.05) between the two groups. Time to return to normal activities was shorter in the LESS(sc)-VL group than that in the CTL-VL group (P=0.018). The mean of all semen parameters were improved statistically 3 months aft...