Radiologic investigation after laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair

Abstract

Laparoscopic instead of open surgical repair of inguinal hernias is becoming more frequent. Radiologists may expect different postoperative findings depending on the technique used. We studied how radiology had been used postoperatively and what findings were encountered after laparoscopic herniorraphy. Postoperative radiologic examinations related to hernia repair of all consecutive patients that had had laparoscopic herniorraphy in Malmö University hospital between 1992 and 1998 were retrospectively evaluated. A total of 538 groins were included, 3.9% (n=21) of these were postoperatively examined with ultrasound (n=10), herniography (n=7), plain abdominal films (n=2), CT (n=1), or fistulography (n=1). Significant findings were found in five groins, namely, one sinus tract, two hematomas, one small bowel obstruction, and one recurrence of hernia. Four insignificant seromas were found. The characteristics of the findings and pitfalls are described. Symptoms resulting in radiologic examination are rare after laparoscopic herniorraphy. The radiologist must be familiar with the spectrum of such findings.