1) Qualitative estimates of effectiveness. Only sclerotherapy required no general anaesthesia in any case, no hospitalization and, as opposed to surgery, no incision. Also, contrary to surgery, postoperative Doppler control was available for sclerotherapy, although there is a minor risk of allergic or psychological problems derived from the use of radiocontrast. Two incisions may be required in surgery if varicocele was bilateral. Recidivisms in surgery can be treated with sclerotherapy. A very small risk of embolic migration is involved in this last procedure.
2) Quantitative estimates of effectiveness. Morbidity figures were as follows: there is a 10% incidence of hydrocele associated with laparoscopy; a 5-10% incidence of hydrocele in surgery (this rate can be reduced if amplifying lenses are used in the procedure); a 6% incidence of persistent reflux and a 0.5% rate of plexus thrombosis associated with sclerotherapy. The frequency of technical failures/recidivism was 5-20% in laparoscopy and surgery, and 8-10% in right side sclerotherapy (1-3% in left side sclerotherapy).