AIMS: To assess the safety, sensitivity and specificity of out-patient hern
iography when used to diagnose hernias in the presence of a normal or equiv
ocal physical examination.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the symptoms, clin
ical findings, radiological findings, surgical findings and clinical outcom
e of 112 patients referred for herniography over a 5-year period.
RESULTS: No significant complications were encountered. Thirty hernias were
diagnosed. There was one false-positive and one false-negative examination
giving herniography a sensitivity of 96.6% and a specificity of 98.4%.
CONCLUSION: Herniography is a sensitive, specific, safe and reliable invest
igation which should be available to and used by all surgeons who perform h
ernia repair operations.