Ipsilateral multiple groin hernias.
BACKGROUND
Recurrence rates after surgical repair of groin hernia vary between 3% and 20%. One possible reason for recurrent hernias are ipsilateral multiple hernias, which might have been overlooked at the primary operation.


METHODS
In the present series 1010 patients with unclear groin pain underwent herniography.


RESULTS
A total of 314 patients had hernias, and seventy-one (23%) of these had multiple hernias. Ipsilateral multiple hernias were found in 18 (6%) patients. Ipsilateral multiple hernias were present in 9 (6%) of 144 patients with an indirect hernia, in 17 (12%) of 144 patients with a direct hernia, in 5 (21%) of 24 patients with a femoral hernia, and in 3 (23%) of 13 patients with an obturator hernia. The hernias were of indirect, direct, femoral, and obturator types.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of ipsilateral multiple hernias is much higher than the frequency reported during herniorrhaphy. Such overlooked ipsilateral multiple groin hernias may account for some of the so-called recurrences after herniorrhaphy. Therefore a careful exploration of the groin is mandatory. Preoperative herniography may also prove to be useful in patients with recurrent groin symptoms after herniorrhaphy.
Ekberg
O
O
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University of Lund, Malmö General Hospital, Sweden.
Lasson
A
A
Kesek
P
P
van Westen
D
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin; D006547:Hernia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006550:Hernia, Femoral / Q000601:surgery; D006553:Hernia, Obturator / Q000601:surgery; D059685:Herniorrhaphy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012008:Recurrence