Repair of massive inguinal hernia: with pneumoperitoneum and without using prosthetic mesh.

There was an unusual need for preoperative induction of an artificial pneumoperitoneum in two cases of inguinal hernia. Both hernias were very large and associated with extensive intertrigo. Daily insufflations of air were performed for 13 and 11 days, with the patients compensating for this increased intraabdominal pressure over this time. Operation with removal of the ipsilateral testicle, cord, and scrotum was then straightforward and convalescence uneventful. The pneumoperitoneum allowed a repair to be effected without using a prosthetic mesh.