Often these measures are enough to relieve the patient's discomfort and the condition will correct itself. Fortunately, most varicoceles can be readily corrected through surgery. Because there are numerous blood vessels within the pampiniform plexus, adequate circulation will be maintained through the unaffected veins. Either surgery can be performed on an in- or outpatient basis. The patient typically can resume normal activity, including sex, within a week.
Microsurgery is another possible option.
In this technique, the surgeon inserts an operating microscope called a laparoscope into the abdominal cavity through a small incision in the skin. Through it the physician can locate, clip and close off the varicocele. This technique has the advantage of requiring a smaller incision, which may facilitate a quicker recovery by the patient. But laparoscopy also is a more invasive procedure and takes longer to perform. A third procedure involves plugging the affected vein with a small balloon.