No abstract

We evaluated the use of sonography as a means of assessing hernial occlusion and possible postoperative changes such as hematomas or seromas in the inguinal and scrotal regions after 1139 laparoscopic repairs of hernias between August 1992 and November 1994. Changes after laparoscopic hernia repair were found in 307 patients (27%). Hematomas or seromas were seen in 132 patients, protrusion of the prosthetic mesh in 17, mesh infection in two, and small bowel entrapment in an insufficient peritoneal suture in two. Recurrences were diagnosed correctly in six patients, mobile preperitoneal lipomas in five. Sonography is useful in the evaluation of complications after laparoscopic hernia repair, including recurrent hernia. In the absence of symptoms, sonography is not indicated.

Determination of prostatic size by rectal examination is inaccurate if objective and reproducible values are desired. Sonometrics, a combination of transrectal sonography and biometrics, is a simple method to determine prostatic weight. The optomanual image analyzing system (BIT PAD-TRS 80) consists of a digitizer tablet, cursor, processing unit and keyboard (TRS 80). The photographic records or the image of the prostate on the scan can be measured with the optomanual image analysis system by tracing the circumference of the prostate. Using the computer one can calculate length, area and circumference of the sonogram. When the postoperative and sonometrically estimated weights were compared a good correlation coefficient was found. The studies on age-dependent growth of the prostate show an age-volume relationship similar to that shown in the study by Swyer. As demonstrated in patients with hypothalamic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism change in prostatic volume also can be assessed in small prostates.

We investigated 24 patients with blunt renal trauma by excretory urography plus nephrotomography and ultrasound. The results of these investigations were correlated with the operative findings. The ultrasound diagnosis was correct in 16 of 18 patients with parenchymal injuries. Injuries to the renal pelvis, ureter and renal pedicle were suspected only in connection with excretory urography. Ultrasound provides an excellent inexpensive noninvasive diagnostic tool for the initial diagnostic study of patients with blunt renal trauma.