LAPAROSCOPIC ASSESSMENT OF CLINICAL-DIAGN OSIS OF INGUINAL-HERNIA

Objective: Prospectively compare laparoscopic findings with functional impairment and clinical diagnosis and classification of inguinal hern ias. Methods: Fifty eight consecutive patients (mean age 55.3 years, r ange 22-87) presenting with 68 symptomatic hernial orifices and underg oing laparoscopic procedures for inguinal hernia were included in the study. Type of hernia was identified according to the Nyhus classifica tion. Clinical examination found 73 hernias and laparoscopy identified 86 hernias. Results: Laparoscopic findings confirmed clinical diagnos is in 20 out of 30 type II hernias, 24 out of 37 type IIIA hernias, 2 out of 3 type IIIB hernias and 13 out of 16 type N hernias. Conclusion : Laparoscopic procedures can successfully confirm or refute the clini cal diagnosis of inguinal hernia, especially important when the preope rative diagnosis is doubtful. The type of hernia can be clearly identi fied for adaptation of therapeutic indications.