Bilateral varicocele: Single transscrotal approach for Tauber antegrade sclerotherapy

Objective: To describe the results of a new simple technique of single transscrotal approach for Tauber antegrade sclerotherapy in bilateral varicocele. Materials and Methods: During the period March 1998 - June 2001, overall 341 patients were treated for varicocele using Tauber antegrade sclerotherapy. In 39 of these patients, sclerotherapy was performed bilaterally in the same session whilst in 34, rather than making two incisions at the root of the two hemiscrotums, a single incision was made on the median raphe. During this period, the same approach was used in 4 patients with left varicocele and right hydrocele, 2 patients with left varicocele and right epididymis cyst, 1 patient with bilateral varicocele and bilateral hydrocele, 1 patient with bilateral hydrocele and left varicocele. Results: Maximum ray exposure time was 58 seconds (mean 30). Oro-tracheal intubation was not necessary in any of the patients. In 12 patients, besides local anesthesia, additional sedation was given. Slight bleeding of the wound, occurring in 3 patients, was medicated in the out-patient department. Conclusions: Patients prefer a single incision. When the incision is made on the median raphe, no scars remain. In bilateral varicocele, the single approach reduces invasiveness and increases patient satisfaction.