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Case Reports
. 2024 Aug 9;16(8):e66503.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.66503. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Obturator Hernia: Report of a Rare Case

Tran Phung D Tien  1 , Nguyen Huy Giang  1 , Nguyen Ngoc Huan  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Obturator Hernia: Report of a Rare Case

Tran Phung D Tien et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Obturator hernia, an uncommon type of abdominal wall hernia, predominantly occurs in elderly, multiparous women and often presents with nonspecific symptoms. The preoperative diagnosis of obturator hernia is particularly challenging due to its vague clinical manifestations. The clinical picture consists of intestinal blockage, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. The treatment is only surgical. Delayed diagnosis can result in intestinal necrosis, thereby increasing the risk of mortality. This report discusses the case of a 73-year-old woman who experienced abdominal pain and restricted extension of her right leg. Computed tomography confirmed the presence of a right obturator hernia. The hernia was successfully repaired without necessitating resection of the small intestine. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well and experienced no complications.

Keywords: intestinal obtruction; laparotomy; obturator hernia; obturator sign; surgical repair of hernia.

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Conflict of interest statement

Human subjects: Consent was obtained or waived by all participants in this study. Conflicts of interest: In compliance with the ICMJE uniform disclosure form, all authors declare the following: Payment/services info: All authors have declared that no financial support was received from any organization for the submitted work. Financial relationships: All authors have declared that they have no financial relationships at present or within the previous three years with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work. Other relationships: All authors have declared that there are no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest X-ray revealed infiltrates in the middle third of the right lung (red arrow) and diffuse fibrosis throughout both lungs
Figure 2
Figure 2. Abdominal CT scan showing a right obturator hernia, with the small intestine component highlighted by the red arrow (frontal plane)
Figure 3
Figure 3. Abdominal CT scan showing a right obturator hernia, with the small intestine component highlighted by the red arrow (transverse plane)
Figure 4
Figure 4. Obturator hernia hole (blue arrow)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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