Recurrent Obturator Hernia: A Rare Entity

Obturator hernias are rare with an incidence of less than 1% of all hernias and are most common in frail, elderly females. They are difficult to diagnose and even more difficult to repair. They often present with a small bowel obstruction from the incarcerated bowel. We report a case of a recurrent obturator hernia after a laparoscopic repair using a patch of omentum. The recurrence was repaired laparoscopically with a trans-abdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) with mesh. Given the rarity of the disease, there is scarce literature on the ideal method of repair, especially in patients with recurrence. However, with recent trends toward minimally invasive preperitoneal mesh hernia repairs for inguinal and ventral hernias, this type of repair should be strongly considered for patients with obturator hernias as well.