Abstract

We have investigated the importance of herniography in the evaluation of inguinal hernia or groin pain of obscure origin. 25 patients who were thought to have inguinal hernia or unexplained groin pain were examined with herniography. We tried to demonstrate hernias in roentgenograms obtained posteroanterior, lateral and oblique positions. 3 of 25 cases were normal. 28 hernias were identified in 22 cases. Bilateral hernias were seen in 6 cases. The early stage hernia was seen in two patients with groin pain who were undetected with physical examination. There was no false positive or false negative herniographic diagnosis among twenty patients who were operated upon subsequently. No serious complications were observed.

Herniography was simple, safe and sensitive method of examination in the evluation of inguinal hernia or groin pain of obscure origin. In addition, herniography contribute to accomplishment to laparoscopic hernia repair by showing size and localization of hernia and anatomic appearance of inguinal region.