Microsurgical versus Conventional Inguinal Varicocelectomy: A Systematic Review of Fertility Outcomes and Recurrence Risk
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55927/ajha.v4i2.15750Keywords:
Microsurgical, Conventional Inguinal Varicocelectomy, Fertility, Outcomes, Recurrence RiskAbstract
Infertility affects 8–12% of couples, with varicocele being the most common correctable male factor. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy offers better reproductive results than conventional or laparoscopic techniques. To compare fertility outcomes and recurrence rates between microsurgical and conventional varicocelectomy (2020–2025). A systematic review of 371 articles identified 9 eligible studies assessing semen quality, pregnancy rate, hydrocele, and recurrence. Microsurgical varicocelectomy showed greater improvements in semen parameters and natural pregnancy rates, along with lower hydrocele and recurrence. Sperm count increased by 7.7 ± 4.5 million/mL. Microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy is safer and more effective, and remains the preferred approach for varicocele management in infertile men.
Downloads
References
Al-said, S., Al-naimi, A., Al-ansari, A., Younis, N., Shamsodini, A., A-sadiq, K., & Shokeir, A. A. (2008). Varicocelectomy for male infertility: A comparative study of open, laparoscopic and microsurgical approaches. Journal of Urology, 180, 266–270.
Baazeem, A., Belzile, E., Ciampi, A., Dohle, G., Jarvi, K., Salonia, A., Weidner, W., & Zini, A. (2011). Varicocele and male factor infertility treatment: A new meta-analysis and review of the role of varicocele repair. European Urology, 60, 796–808.
Cannarella, R., Shah, R., Hamoda, T. A. A., Boitrelle, F., Saleh, R., Gul, M., Rambhatla, A., Kavoussi, P., Toprak, T., Harraz, A. M., Ko, E., & Ceker, G. (2024). Does varicocele repair improve conventional semen parameters? A meta-analytic study of before–after data. World Journal of Men's Health, 42, 92–132.
Çayan, S., Orhan, I., Akbay, E., & Kadioglu, A. (2019). Systematic review of treatment methods for recurrent varicoceles to compare post-treatment sperm parameters, pregnancy, and complication rates. Andrologia, 1–9.
Jan, M. A., Rahman, S. Z. U., & Rehman, K. U. (2025). Evaluation of sperm count improvement following microsurgical varicocelectomy. Cureus, 17, 1–6.
Kaltsas, A., Markou, E., Zachariou, A., Dimitriadis, F., Mamoulakis, C., Andreadakis, S., Giannakis, L., Tsounapi, P., Takenaka, A., & Sofikitis, N. (2022). Varicoceles in men with non-obstructive azoospermia: The dilemma to operate or not. Frontiers in Reproductive Health, 4, 1–12.
Majzoub, A., Elbardisi, H., Covarrubias, S., Mak, N., Agarwal, A., Henkel, R., Elsaid, S., Al-A., A. H., & Arafa, M. (2021). Effect of microsurgical varicocelectomy on fertility outcome and treatment plans of patients with severe oligozoospermia: An original report and meta-analysis. Andrologia, 1–9.
Mehta, A., & Goldstein, M. (2013). Microsurgical varicocelectomy: A review. Asian Journal of Andrology, 15, 56–60.
Moon, K. H., Cho, S. J., Kim, K. S., Park, S., & Park, S. (2012). Recurrent varicoceles: Causes and treatment using angiography and magnification-assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy. Yonsei Medical Journal, 53, 723–728.
Neves, H. V., Meller, R. L., Ogundipe, E. A., & Rochon, P. J. (2022). Varicoceles: Overview of treatment from a radiologic and surgical perspective. In O. Ahmed & A. K. Sista (Eds.), Thieme Medical Publishers (pp. 490–497).
Pajovic, B., Radojevic, N., Dimitrovski, A., Radovic, M., Rolovic, R., & Vukovic, M. (2015). Advantages of microsurgical varicocelectomy over conventional techniques. European Review for Medical and Pharmacological Sciences, 19, 532–538.
Phan, H. T., Nguyen, T. X., Nguyen, D. V., Vu, H. A., Le, D. A., & Pham, N. H. (2021). Efficacy of scroto-inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy in treating male infertility. African Journal of Urology, 27, 1–5.
Teng, W., Xiao, J., Xu, Q., & Li, P. (2025). Influence of varicocelectomy on assisted reproductive technology outcomes of infertile patients with varicocele: A systematic review and meta-analysis. American Journal of Men’s Health, 1–16.
Wang, X., Wang, R., Du, Q., & Pan, B. (2021). Clinical effectiveness of microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with enhanced recovery after surgery for varicocele. Translational Andrology and Urology, 10, 3862–3872.
Warli, S. M., Nabil, R. A., Kadar, D. D., Prapiska, F. F., & Siregar, G. P. (2024). A comparison between the efficacy and complication of laparoscopic and microsurgical varicocelectomy: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Urology Annals, 113–119.
Wu, X., Liu, Q., Zhang, R., Wang, W., & Gao, Y. (2017). Therapeutic efficacy and safety of laparoscopic surgery versus microsurgery for varicocele of adult males. Medicine, 1–6.
Yuan, R., Zhuo, H., Cao, D., & Wei, Q. (2017). Efficacy and safety of varicocelectomies: A meta-analysis. Systems Biology in Reproductive Medicine, 63, 120–129.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Bobby Aksanda Putra, Benly Levi Andreas Sibarani, Maeike Grestiana Sinaga

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

























