HERNIOGRAPHY FOR OCCULT HERNIA AND GROIN PAIN

In a prospective 3-year study herniography was used to assess patients with unexplained groin pain in whom clinical signs were inconclusive. Fifty-two patients were studied. No serious complications were observ ed. Twenty-two hernias were identified in 18 patients. The positive he rniographic findings were confirmed at operation in 12 patients. Of 34 patients with a negative herniogram, none has developed a hernia. Pai n settled spontaneously in 29 patients and five were referred to a pai n clinic for further management.