Abstract: Objective To evaluate the postoperative complications of microscopic and conventional Palomo varicoceletomy in
the treatment of varicocele in army personnel. Methods A total of 260 army personnel with varicocele were randomized to
receive microscopic varicocelectomy (group A, n=130) and conventional Palomo varicocelectomy (group B, n=130). The
postoperative recurrence and complications (scrotal edema, testicular pain and testicular atrophy) were compared between the
two groups. Results After 1 year of follow-up, the recurrence rates in groups A and B were statistically comparable (5.3% vs
3.8%, P>0.05). The incidences of testicular atrophy and scrotal edema were significantly lower in group A than in group B (0.7%
vs 3.1%, P<0.05; 3.1% vs 14.6%, P<0.05), and the rate of testicular pain relief was significantly higher in group A (90.7% vs 67.7%,
P<0.05). Conclusion Microscopic varicocelectomy can be a good choice in the treatment of varicocele in army personnel.