This patient presented to Casualty with a sudden swelling in his right groin after gardening. A diagnosis of inguinal canal haematoma was made. One month later he returned with this large indurated abscess, thought to be in the inguinal canal. There were no symptoms of obstruction.

At laparoscopy a right indirect inguinal hernia was found to contain the appendix and some omentum. Both were irreducible. The omentum was partially reduced first.

The appendix was then freed but showed no signs of appendicitis. It was removed.

The remainder of the omentum was then reduced resulting in the release of considerable quantities of pus. The tip of the omentum had clearly infarcted to cause the abscess.

After extensive lavage the deep inguinal ring was closed by suturing.

Drains were inserted intraperitoneally and into the residual abscess cavity