[Case report: emergency surgery of a giant scrotal hernia]

We present the case of a 61-year-old patient, who had developed a giant scrotal hernia during the course of 30 years. The patient was transferred to our service after stabilization of hemorrhagic shock due to bleeding from varicosis of the giant scrotal sack. The urgent operation was performed by resection of parts of small intestine, colon ascendens, transversum, and the left testis. After 9 days on our intensive care unit and 18 days on our ward the patient was discharged to further ambulatory care. At one year follow up the patient complained about only discrete abdominal problems which could be successfully treated by diet. The operative treatment modalities of so called "giant hernias" as well as possible complication management are discussed.