Herniography: a reliable investigation avoiding needless groin exploration--a retrospective study

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.

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.

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.

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.