There are also inherent risks with laparoscopy that are greater than that of the small open procedure done with microscopic varicocelectomy. Success rates can also be measured by change in semen analysis results. A significant change is defined as a doubling of the total motile count. The total motile count is the calculated number of sperm that the man actually ejaculates. Men with larger varicoceles will show more significant improvement.
Many men have a large varicocele on one side and a small varicocele on the other side.
A recent study addressed whether, in these cases, both varicoceles should be repaired or if just the larger one should. In general, even if only a small varicocele is found on the opposite side of a large varicocele, the current feeling is that they should both be repaired. It would appear that even older men with long standing varicoceles will show significant improvement from a varicocelectomy. It takes 78 days from the beginning of the sperms' development until they are ready to be ejaculated. This is a continuous process very much like an assembly line.