Bowel obstruction secondary to incarcerated obturator hernia

Obturator hernia is rare type of abdominal hernia and its diagnosis usually is made intraoperatively for bowel obstruction or computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen. The aim of this study was to review patient's records with respect to clinical manifestation, CT scan findings, and operative outcomes.

From April 2009 to January 2015, six female patients with incarcerated obturator hernia underwent urgent operation for acute intestinal obstruction. The medical records were reviewed with respect to clinical manifestation, findings of CT scan and the outcomes of operation.

The median age of patients was 83 years (range, 79-87 years) and the body mass index was 21.61 ± 0.52 kg/m². CT scans of abdomen demonstrated that intestinal obstruction secondary to obturator hernia, consistency with operative findings. Partial bowel resection was performed in two of six patients because of necrosis of incarcerated obturator hernia. The hernia was repaired with interrupted sutures. Lung infection occurred in one patient, and wound infection in another. One recurrence was observed and two patients died from the unrelated diseases during the period of follow-up.

The diagnosis of obturator hernia can be made by CT scan preoperatively, and the obturator hernia should be suspected when an unexplained bowel obstruction in elderly, thin women occurs.