Obstructed obturator hernia in 90 year olds--a management dilemma

We present two 90 year-old women with small bowel obstruction from obturator hernias. A higher incidence of such obstruction has been reported in Chinese and the diagnosis should be suspected in elderly women with no previous surgery presenting with small bowel obstruction. Although the diagnosis was suspected in both cases, early surgical intervention was prevented by the patients' and relatives' fears of incomplete recovery with poor quality of life in advanced age. In such situations, we suggest on observation period of not more than two days, and if the general health does not deteriorate significantly, surgery should again be strongly advised.