Abstract
Introduction
Herniography has been shown to be useful in the detection of occult groin hernias in patients with a history of groin pain. We performed a retrospective review to assess our experience of this investigation.
Methods
The notes of 170 patients who underwent herniography between 1995 and 2004 were reviewed. The results of herniography and subsequent treatment and follow-up were investigated.
Results
Of the 170 patients who underwent herniography, 84 patients (49%) had positive herniograms, indicating the presence of hernia. Twelve of these were patients with chronic groin pain post hernia repair. All patients reported as having a positive herniogram underwent surgical exploration, which confirmed the presence of herniae, which were repaired and patients reported symptomatic benefit on further follow-up. The remaining 86 patients (51%) had a normal herniogram; 20 patients presented with groin pain after hernia repair and were referred to a pain management team. There were two minor complications of the procedure and no major complications. Twenty patients were prevented from undergoing needless surgical re-exploration by the use of this technique.
Conclusion
Herniography has great value in excluding inguinal hernia in patients with chronic symptoms in the groin. It is a useful diagnostic tool for the identification of clinically occult herniae and this investigation can prevent needless surgery and re-exploration in those cases with previous hernia repair.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Devlin HB (1988) Management of abdominal hernias. Butterworth, London
Smedberg SG, Broomé AE, Elmér O, Gullmo A (1985) Herniography in the diagnosis of obscure groin pain. Acta Chir Scand 151(8):663–667
Gullmo A, Broomé A, Smedberg S (1984) Herniography. Surg Clin North Am 64(2):229–244
Calder F, Evans R, Neilson D, Hurley P (2000) Value of herniography in the management of occult hernia and chronic groin pain in adults. Br J Surg 87:824–825
Smedberg SG, Broomé AE, Gullmo A, Roos H (1985) Herniography in athletes with groin pain. Am J Surg 149(3):378–382
Ducharme JC, Bertrand R, Chacar R (1967) Is it possible to diagnose inguinal hernia by X-ray? A preliminary report on herniography. J Can Assoc Radiol 18:448–451
Ekberg O (1981) Inguinal herniography in adults: technique, normal anatomy, and diagnostic criteria for hernias. Radiology 138(1):31–36
Brierly RD, Hale PC, Bishop NL (1999) Is herniography an effective and safe investigation? J R Coll Surg Edinb 44:374–377
Toms AP, Dixon AK, Murphy JM, Jamieson NV (1999) Illustrated review of new imaging techniques in the diagnosis of abdominal wall hernias. Br J Surg 86:1243–1249
Eames NW, Deans GT, Lawson JT, Irwin ST (1994) Herniography for occult hernia and groin pain. Br J Surg 81:1529–1530
van Den Berg JC, Strijk SP (1992) Groin hernia: role of herniography. Radiology 184:191–194
Cohen RH, Turkenburg JL, van Dalen A (1990) Herniography in 79 patients with unexplained pain in the groin: a retrospective study. Eur J Radiol 11:184–187
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hachem, M.I., Saunders, M.P., Rix, T.E. et al. Herniography: a reliable investigation avoiding needless groin exploration—a retrospective study. Hernia 13, 57–60 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-008-0425-6
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10029-008-0425-6