Giant inguinoscrotal hernia: an unfrequent case

Abstract

Introduction: Abdominal wall hernias affect between 10% to 15% of the world population and up to 60% of these are inguinal hernias. Giant inguinal hernias are rare, but have high burden of disease for the patients.

Clinical Case: We present the case of a 51-year-old patient, with a history of type II diabetes mellitus, from an isolated rural area, with four days of a scrotal burn by hot metal, related to a giant right inguinoscrotal hernia. He is taken to surgical intervention by general surgery and urology. Due to adequate clinical evolution, he was discharged on the 5th postoperative day.

Discussion: Giant inguinal hernias are rare and frequently occur in patients of low socioeconomic status, rural origin and a certain degree of neglect. The challenge for the surgical team consist in dealing with the potential adverse effects of reducing hernia contents in an abdomen with varying degrees of loss of normal capacity. Resection or debulking of the abdominal contents or expansion of the abdominal cavity by frenectomy, perioperative progressive pneumoperitoneum, or the creation of ventral hernias by advanced maneuvers may be required. Tension-free mesh repair decreases the risk of recurrence.

Conclusion: Giant inguinal hernia is a rare pathology. The general surgeon is called to know the range of options that exist in the event of facing these patients, which helps to reduce the high morbidity and mortality and high rates of recurrence.