ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficiency and safety of interventional embolization versus laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of varicocele. MethodsWe searched the Chinese Journal Full-text Database, Wanfang Medical Journal Database, and VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journal Full-text Database with such keywords as interventional therapy, embolization, laparoscope, and varicocele. For PubMed and Cochrane Library, MESH terms or keywords were interventional embolization, interventional therapy, embolization, laparoscope, laparoscopic surgery, and varicocele. All database were searched up to March 2015. Then we selected trials comparing interventional embolization versus laparoscopic surgery in the treatment of varicocele according to the including criteria. We assessed the quality of the included studies with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and conducted meta-analysis with revman 5.2 for the primary outcomes sperm improvement rate, recurrence rate, complication rate, pregnant rate, etc. ResultsWe included 7 trials comparing interventional embolization with laparoscopic surgery, including 1 prospective study and 6 retrospective studies, with a total of 349 patients receiving interventional therapy and 400 patients receiving laparoscopic surgery. Meta analysis of the included studies showed that there were no significant differences for sperm improvement rate[OR=1.17, 95%CI (0.70, 1.96), P=0.54], pregnant rate[OR=0.58, 95%CI (0.29, 1.13), P=0.11], recurrence rate[OR=0.84, 95CI% (0.40, 1.78), P=0.66] or complication rate[OR=0.68, 95%CI (0.34, 1.32), P=0.25] between the two groups. ConclusionPresent evidence shows that there is no significant difference between interventional embolization and laparoscopic surgery for varicocele.