Pneumoperitoneum as an Aid in the Surgical Treatment of Giant Herniae

The management of giant hernia and eventration can be greatly facilitated and made safe by the use of preoperative pneumoperitoneum. Daily insufflation of air into the peritoneal cavity, starting with 500 ml. and increasing gradually to 2–3 litres a day for approximately 2 weeks, stretches the abdominal cavity and avoids respiratory and circulatory distress at the time of operation. This preoperative treatment converts a potentially dangerous operation into a fairly simple procedure.