Pneumoscrotum due to perforated peptic ulcer previously sutured by laparoscopy

Pneumoscrotum is a rare condition defined by the presence of gas within the scrotum. Most cases are associated with the pneumoperitoneum; the condition has been described after various diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and disease conditions. In this article, we report a case of a patient admitted to the emergency department for right-upper quadrant abdominal pain. Abdominal X-ray showed free air in the right subdiaphragm; computed tomography (CT) confirmed free air in the abdomen and detected free fluid in the pelvis. The patient underwent laparoscopy, at which time a 1-cm perforation on the anterior wall of the gastric antrum near the pylorus was identified. The perforation was sutured with three detached stitches of reabsorbable material. Approximately 2 days after the surgical procedure, physical examination of the patient showed significant scrotal swelling suspicious for the presence of subcutaneous air. A CT scan confirmed the presence of the pneumoscrotum. The patient returned to the operating room and underwent an exploratory laparotomy. A new perforation was identified beneath the previous one and was sutured with two detached stitches. The patient was discharged uneventfully after 8 days of hospitalization. Pneumoscrotum should be recognized as an early sign of recurrence in patients operated on laparoscopically for peptic ulcer.