Obturator hernia: a case report

Abstract

Background Obturator hernia is rare and accounts for less than 1% of all abdominal wall hernias. It represents a diagnostic challenge due to its nonspecific signs and symptoms. Case presentation We present a case of an 89-year-old caucasian female with a 12-hour history of right medial thigh pain. Computed tomography scan revealed a right obturator hernia with small bowel obstruction. The hernia was successfully repaired laparoscopically without any need for small bowel resection. She was discharged on postoperative day 2 with an uneventful recovery and zero complications. Conclusion This case report highlights the importance of rapid diagnosis and repair of obturator hernia even in the setting of an improving clinical picture. It also demonstrates the safety of laparoscopic repair in this setting.

Obturator hernia: A case report of intestinal obstruction with challenging diagnosis and non-standardized treatment

“…OH is an uncommon type of abdominal wall hernia which causes 0.2 to 1.6% of mechanical intestinal obstruction [1] , [2] , [3] . According to a recent scoping review published in 2021 by Mikkel et al and including a total of 1299 patients, 71% of cases were from ASIA [5] .There are some factors predisposing to OH.…”

“…Obturator Hernia (OH) is a rare clinical entity that constitutes less than 1% of all abdominal hernias [1] , [2] , [3] . It occurs when intra-abdominal tissue protrudes through a defect in the obturator canal (OC).The sac usually contains the small bowel but may also contain appendix, bladder, omentum, or fallopian tubes [1] .…”

Little old lady’s hernia: a case of strangulated obturator hernia in a 88-year-old woman

“…This delay in diagnosis might be related to nonspecific signs and symptoms. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] Sometimes patients may present the Howship-Romberg sign-pain on the medial aspect of the thigh up to the knee due to compression of the obturator nerve by the hernia itself in around 15 to 50% of the cases. The Hannington-Kiff sign is more specific but less known and corresponds to the absence of an adductor reflex of the thigh.…”

“…The Hannington-Kiff sign is more specific but less known and corresponds to the absence of an adductor reflex of the thigh. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] The development of an obturator hernia occurs in three stages. In the first stage, the preperitoneal fat and connective tissue enter the obturator canal.…”

“…Despite this, other recent studies advocate its use due to the fewer complications and less time of recovery in old and debilitated patients. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] The recurrence rates described in the literature are relatively low with primary repair (3 to 10%) and even lower with laparoscopic approaches (TAPP, TEP). [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]…”