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Updated: Jul 14, 2026
07:41
Quantification of Levator Ani Hiatus Enlargement by Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Males and Females with Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Published on: April 17, 2019
Obturator hernia in an ageing society
Masashi Haraguchi1, Shigetoshi Matsuo, Kengo Kanetaka
1Department of Surgery, Nagasaki Prefectural Shimabara Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan. haraguci@mb.ejnet.ne.jp
Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|June 29, 2007
Summary
Obturator hernias, a cause of small bowel obstruction, are increasingly diagnosed in elderly females. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention, aided by CT scans, reduce the need for bowel resection and improve outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Oncology
- Geriatric Medicine
Background:
- Obturator hernia is a rare but serious cause of small bowel obstruction.
- It presents diagnostic challenges and is associated with high mortality rates.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in obturator hernia cases over 17 years.
- To evaluate diagnostic methods and surgical outcomes.
- To identify factors influencing patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 22 surgical cases of obturator hernia.
- Analysis of patient demographics, clinical presentation, diagnostic imaging, and surgical interventions.
- Correlation with census data to assess incidence changes.
Main Results:
- All 22 patients were elderly females.
- The Howship-Romberg sign was present in 68% of cases.
- Computed tomography (CT) achieved an 87% diagnostic accuracy.
- Delayed surgery (>7.5 days) significantly increased bowel resection rates (P <0.05).
- Obturator hernia incidence correlates with an aging population.
Conclusions:
- The increasing incidence of obturator hernia is linked to societal aging.
- Pelvic CT is a valuable diagnostic tool.
- Prompt surgical intervention minimizes the need for bowel resection.
- Early laparotomy is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality.
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