[Pneumoperitoneum in surgical management of giant scrotal hernias].

Surgical treatment of giant abdominal hernias includes reduction of the hernia content and tension-free closure of the abdominal wall. Initial laparoscopy simulates the postoperative abdominal wall tension. Recognizing the need for a preoperative pneumoperitoneum in cases of chronic eventration may help to avoid "abdominal catastrophes" including bowel resection, abdominal compartment, and extended abdominal wall reconstruction. We report a 66-year-old man with an asymptomatic long-standing giant scrotal hernia who was admitted with sepsis and uremia caused by intestinal obstruction.