[Doppler sonography of testicular circulation following reconstruction of inguinal hernia]

The use of pre- and postoperative testicular Doppler ultrasound examination in groin hernia repair is evaluated in 50 patients operated by the technique of Shouldice. The etiological differentiation between ischemic orchitis and testicular necrosis is based on the monitoring of testicular perfusion. The technique is presented in detail. Preoperatively the arterial supply could be examined in 45 of 50 patients and the venous flow in 41 patients. The postoperative arterial flow was found in all and the venous flow in 47 patients. Our results revealed the Doppler sonography as a suitable technique for postoperative semiquantitative examination of testicular perfusion. It should be employed in all cases of postoperative testicular pain. A mandatory use of the Doppler technique to obtain an indication for operative revision has still to be discussed.