A Rare Cause of Small Bowel Obstruction: Incarcerated Obturator Hernia

Abstract

Obturator hernia (OH) is a rare type of hernia caused by protrusion of the pelvic contents through the obturator foramen. It usually affects elderly, debilitated women. Patients may present with the symptoms of mechanical intestinal obstruction. Delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis is frequent due to non-specific signs and symptoms. In this paper, we present the case of OH in two patients. Both patients were admitted to the emergency department with the symptoms of ileus. Incarcerated OH diagnosis was made after evaluations. One of the patients, who underwent emergency surgery, had necrosis and small intestine resection was performed. OH, defect was repaired in both patients and serious postoperative complications developed. OH, is a clinical condition associated with high morbidity and mortality in incarcerated cases. There are many open and laparoscopic methods in treatment. Early diagnosing may be life-saving.

Keywords

• Obturator
• herni
• mechanic intestinal obstruction
• ischemia
• Howship-Romberg sign