Superficial dorsal penile vein thrombosis: a little-known complication of subinguinal varicocelectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the symptomatology, diagnosis and treatment of superficial thrombosis of the dorsal penile vein - the most common complication of subinguinal varicocelectomy - and analyse the possible mechanisms involved in the development of the condition. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical records of 326 patients who underwent varicocele repair during the last 10 years was reviewed. The technique used was subinguinal varicocelectomy with arterial preservation. A mini-Doppler probe was used during surgery for artery identification. We report on the postoperative complications of varicocelectomy, with special attention to superficial dorsal penile vein thrombosis, and provide a detailed description of the anatomy of the superficial venous system of the penis. RESULTS: Complications usually associated with varicocele surgery occurred in less than 1% of patients. However, the most common complication in our series was superficial dorsal penile vein thrombosis, which occurred in 2.1% of patients. The use of the mini-Doppler probe allowed us to identify and preserve the arteries in all 326 patients. CONCLUSION: Subinguinal varicocelectomy with intra-operative use of a mini-Doppler probe is a rapid and safe technique. The outcomes and complications are similar to those reported for subinguinal microscopic varicocelectomy. Superficial dorsal penile vein thrombosis is a benign self-limited condition whose association with subinguinal varicocelectomy has not been previously reported.