Giant Postoperative Seroma after Laparoscopic Obturator Hernia Repair: A Case Report

Obturator hernia is frequently seen in thin, elderly women, and is often diagnosed following incarceration. Postoperative seroma formation is a well-recognized complication after inguinal hernia repair. In contrast, reports of seroma formation following obturator hernia repair are scarce, and its clinical features have not been well characterized.

A 94-year-old woman presented with nausea and vomiting and was diagnosed with an incarcerated left obturator hernia. Manual reduction was successful and was followed by elective laparoscopic repair using the totally extraperitoneal approach with mesh placement. Although the initial postoperative course was uneventful, a large preperitoneal seroma compressing the urinary bladder developed on POD 23 and required percutaneous aspiration. The seroma subsequently became infected, necessitating repeated drainage and ultimately laparoscopic mesh removal. Despite temporary stabilization, the patient experienced sudden cardiopulmonary arrest and died postoperatively.

Postoperative seroma is a complication that can occur following surgery for an obturator hernia. Because obturator hernias are frequently seen in elderly patients with poor nutritional status, careful perioperative management is essential, bearing in mind that postoperative complications can have fatal consequences.