Diagnosis and classification of inguinal hernias

The aim of this prospective clinical study was to determine whether the presence of a hernia, its size, and its type can be established preoperatively by clinical and ultrasound, examination.

The study population comprised 220 consecutive patients referred to our department for the surgical management of an inguinal hernia. On admission, both inguinal regions were examined clinically and by ultrasound. All patients were operated on laparoscopically.

In regard to the intraoperative findings for both inguinal regions, clinical and ultrasound examination for the diagnosis of inguinal hernia yielded a high total rate of accuracy of 93% respective 94%. However, when the same methods were used to differentiate between lateral and medial hernia, the total rate of accuracy fell to only 54% respective 62%. In the determination of inguinal hernia size, it was even lower: 50% respective 53%.

Although a diagnosis of inguinal hernia can be established reliably by clinical and ultrasound examination, only an approximate classification is possible by these methods.