How often do we make decisions to fix a hernia based on what the parents describe? have you ever ordered an u/s to check when you couldn't feel a hernia or a "silk glove"? How about just ask the parents to take a picture and email/text it to you to confirm?
A study by Kawaguchi et al (JPS 2009;44:2327-9) looked at 23 patients who underwent surgery based on history and a photograph sent by the parents showing the hernia. All patients underwent operative repair and were noted to have a hernia. two patients who's photographs were not consistent with an inguinal hernia were observed, and were not found to have hernias on follow up.
The use of digital photographs can potentially avoid unnecessary repeat office visits as well as wrong side surgery if the parents' description of a non palpable hernia is not correct.
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