Overuse of previsit ultrasound in patients referred for treatment of inguinal hernias

Abstract

Inguinal ultrasound (US) has a high sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of inguinal hernias but is often performed unnecessarily, adding cost and time to treatment. The aim of our study was to assess the rate and necessity of US before clinical examination by a hernia surgeon. Medical records of patients referred for an inguinal hernia from April through July 2017 were reviewed. These cases were analyzed for patient demographics, physical examination (PE) findings, previsit imaging, health-care system of surgeon, and case outcome. Twenty-nine per cent of patients had an inguinal US before visiting a surgeon. Sixty-three per cent of patients who underwent an US had a palpable hernia on PE, and 76 per cent had a positive PE by the surgeon. Patients without a hernia on referring provider’s PE underwent US 59 per cent of the time. Inguinal USs are being ordered unnecessarily by referring providers. Physical examination by referring providers and surgeons should be the primary tool for diagnosis of an inguinal hernia.