Unilateral to Contralateral: A Rare Case of Sequential Obturator Hernias

Obturator hernias are the rarest of all abdominal wall hernias. Multiparous women with a low body mass index (BMI) are at increased risk, and therefore, these hernias are sometimes referred to as "little old lady hernias." They occur more frequently on the right side than on the left, due to the sigmoid colon protecting the left obturator canal. These hernias are repaired through surgical intervention to prevent complications. In this case report, a thin, elderly, multiparous female patient presented with signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction. Imaging revealed a left-sided obturator hernia, which was repaired laparoscopically with a mesh. Two years later, she returned with similar symptoms, and imaging again revealed an obturator hernia, but this time in the right obturator canal. The hernia was also repaired laparoscopically with a mesh, and the patient experienced no postoperative complications during follow-up.