The clinical value of pediatric herniography

We review the herniography experience at a community hospital. Twenty-nine patients, aged 4 weeks to 6 years, were examined. Herniography was most often helpful (25 of 29 patients) in determining the need for exploration of the clinically normal side in the patient with a unilateral hernia. By herniography, patients with a right inguinal hernia were found to have a left sac in 47% of cases; whereas with a clinical left inguinal hernia, the incidence of right sacs was 67%. Herniography was also useful (four of 29 patients) as a diagnostic aid in children with a history of hernia but inconclusive physical findings. In all patients explored, the roentgenographic findings were confirmed at surgery.