Video Telescopic Operating Microscope (VITOM) Versus Loupe- Assisted Varicocelectomy

October 29, 2026 updated by: Mohamed Ahmed Galal Mahmoud, Cairo University

Comparative Study Between Video Telescopic Operating Microscope (VITOM) and Loupe- Assisted Varicocelectomy (Randomized Controlled Trial)

This study aims to compare the efficacy, outcome and surgeon satisfaction in Video Telescopic Operating Microscope (VITOM) microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy with Loupe- assisted subinguinal varicocelectomy.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Varicocele is a common medical condition characterized by abnormal dilation and enlargement of the scrotal venous pampiniform plexus, which drains blood from the testicles resulting in complex network of swollen regurging veins.

There are different approaches in varicocelectomy; open surgical inguinal , subinguinal or intrascrotal ,which can be conventional open surgery or by using surgical microscope or Video Telescopic Operating Microscope (VITOM) or Loupeassisted. Also varicocelectomy can be done by laparoscopic retroperitoneal abdominal ligation of gonadal veins or endovascular approach using antegrade sclerotherapy. Improved semen parameters and fewer complications are noticed, when magnification has been used. Magnification can be done using surgical microscope or VITOM or Loupe-assisted.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

60

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

  • Egypt
      • Cairo, Egypt, 12613
        • Recruiting
        • Cairo University
        • Contact:
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ahmed M ElFeel, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Amr M Sayed, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Mohamed A Ateya, MD
        • Sub-Investigator:
          • Ahmed S Elsayed, MD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 60 years (Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

Male

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age: male patients from 18 - 60 years.
  • Males with grade II or III varicocele (unilateral or bilateral).
  • Males complaining of scrotal swelling or pain not responding to medical treatment.
  • Infertile males with impaired semen parameters.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Patients with subclinical varicocele or grade 1 varicocele.
  • Acute urogenital infection.
  • Patients with hypogonadism (hypogonadotrophic or hypergonadotrophic)
  • Patients with hyperprolactenemia.
  • Patient with small testicular volume.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Group A

Patients will be managed using video telescopic operating microscope (VITOM).
Device: Video telescopic operating microscope

Patients will be managed using video telescopic operating microscope (VITOM).
Experimental: Group B

Patients will be managed using Loupe with magnification 4x.
Device: Loupe with magnification 4x

Patients will be managed using Loupe with magnification 4x.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Total Motile Sperm Count
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Total motile sperm count (TMSC), expressed as millions of motile sperm per ejaculate, will be assessed by semen analysis. TMSC will be calculated by multiplying semen volume (mL) by sperm concentration (million/mL) and the proportion of motile sperm.
3 months after surgery

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Scrotal Pain Intensity
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Scrotal pain will be assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), ranging from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst imaginable pain). Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.
3 months after surgery
Scrotal Swelling
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Number of participants with scrotal swelling will be assessed by clinical examination.
3 months after surgery
Surgeon Satisfaction With the Visualization Device
Time Frame: Immediately after surgery (with in one hour)

Surgeon-reported assessment using the protocol's 13-item questionnaire covering image quality, equipment handling, ergonomics, and educational usefulness. Each item is rated on a five-point scale.
Immediately after surgery (with in one hour)
Erectile Function
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Erectile function will be assessed using the five-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). As presented in the protocol, total scores range from 5 to 25, with higher scores indicating better erectile function.
3 months after surgery
Serum Total Testosterone
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Serum total testosterone concentration will be measured by laboratory testing and compared between treatment groups.
3 months after surgery
Varicocele Recurrence
Time Frame: 3 months after surgery

Number of participants with recurrent varicocele will be assessed clinically at follow-up, with scrotal duplex ultrasonography performed at 3 months.
3 months after surgery

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Cairo University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

November 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

November 30, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

October 29, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 29, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

November 4, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

November 4, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

October 29, 2026

Last Verified

October 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MD-372-2025 (11-3-2026)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author after the end of study for one year.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

After the end of study for one year.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

The data will be available upon a reasonable request from the corresponding author.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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