How often are patients with clinically apparent inguinal hernias referred to a surgeon accompanied with an ultrasound? A prospective multicentre study

Abstract

Objectives This study estimated the frequency of ultrasounds ordered for clinically obvious inguinal hernias in patients referred to surgeons and evaluated the clinical value of ultrasonography for this patient population.

Methods The present study was a prospective diagnostic and therapeutic impact study conducted in district, rural and tertiary referral hospitals in Sydney, Hawkesbury and Wagga Wagga, Australia. The study included adult patients (≥18 years of age) who had been referred to one of the participating surgeons for an elective inguinal hernia repair. The study determined the proportion of: (1) patients who underwent an inguinal hernia repair for a clinically obvious hernia and also had an ultrasound; (2) ultrasounds ordered by general practitioners (GPs); and (3) these ultrasounds that altered diagnosis and consequent surgical management from the surgeon’s perspective.

Results In all, 144 participants were included in this study. Of these patients, 134 had a clinically apparent inguinal hernia on physical examination, and 63 of 133 patients (47%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 39–56%) underwent an ultrasound (information was missing for one patient). Overall 68 ultrasounds were ordered, with 63 ordered by GPs. Following the ultrasound, surgeons reported that one patient (1%; 95% CI 0–8 patients) had an altered diagnosis, and five patients (8%; 95% CI 3–17 patients) had altered management.

Conclusion This study found that almost one in two patients referred to a surgeon with a clinically obvious inguinal hernia also underwent a groin ultrasound. These studies represent an unnecessary waste of limited healthcare resources and low-value medical care because they rarely affect the final diagnosis or surgical management.

What is known about the topic? Inguinal hernias are one of the most common presenting complaints to surgeons in Australia. Currently, there are no accepted Australian guidelines for the diagnosis of inguinal hernias. Ultrasound investigation has been shown to aid diagnosis when there is uncertainty after physical examination. There is increasing concern regarding low-value medical care that contributes to a significant waste of healthcare resources within Australia. The use of ultrasounds for the diagnosis of clinically apparent inguinal hernias is a potential area of concern.

What does this paper add? This paper is the first to estimate the frequency of ultrasounds being ordered for clinically apparent inguinal hernias. The study shows that approximately one in two patients who present to surgeons with a clinically obvious inguinal hernia have an ultrasound. GPs were the major referral source for these ultrasounds. Finally, these ultrasounds rarely altered final diagnosis or management for patients who presented to surgeons for definitive management.

What are the implications for practitioners? This study confirms that ultrasounds for clinically obvious inguinal hernias represent low-value medical care. Based on the results of this study, it is estimated that the cost to Medicare for unnecessary ultrasounds is approximately A$2.5 million per annum. Although it is beyond the scope of the present study to comment on the reasons for the apparent overinvestigation of ultrasounds for inguinal hernias, the findings suggest that clinical guidelines may help address this problem.