Obturator hernia: a delayed diagnosis. A case report with literature review

Obturator hernias are classically difficult to diagnose, have a high mortality and are an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. They are usually found in thin, elderly female patients. We present a case of a misdiagnosed 89-year-old female who presented to accident and emergency with a short history of abdominal pain. The diagnosis of an incarcerated obturator hernia was confirmed after re-discussion of computed tomography scan with the consultant radiologist in the morning. The patient underwent emergency laparotomy and the defect reduced. The patient recovered well post-operation; however; on the fourth day post-operation, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest. We report this case as a reminder to our health care colleagues to be mindful of elderly female patients who present with small bowel obstruction due to the high risk of mortality of this type of hernia.