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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.

Background We examined the validity and applicability of the Kugel repair approach for obturator hernias, whereby we placed a Kugel patch through the preperitoneal space after placing a short 5-cm skin incision just medial to the anterior iliac spine and 2 cm cranial to the expected origin of the internal inguinal ring. Methods We studied patients who underwent surgical Kugel repair for obturator hernias at the Department of General Surgery, Saitama Medical University between 2007 and 2017. We examined the operating time, length of hospital stay, postoperative complications, and mortality rate. Results Fifty-eight patients with obturator hernias presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction. A Kugel approach was used in 53 patients and a midline approach was used in 5 patients with preoperative peritonitis. Of the 53 patients managed using the Kugel approach, 39 did not require intestinal resection; a mesh was used in all these patients. In the remaining 14 patients, intestinal resection was required and performed using the same approach; subsequently, a mesh was used successfully in 6 of these 14 patients. The overall median operating time was 47 min; the corresponding values for procedures with and without intestinal resection were 39 and 68 min, respectively. In terms of postoperative complications, operative mortality was not noted among patients without intestinal perforation; however, superficial surgical site infection developed in 2 patients. Among the 5 patients with preoperative peritonitis who underwent exploratory laparotomy via a midline incision, intestinal perforation was detected during surgery, and all patients required intestinal resection; none of the patients had received a mesh, and 2 patients died after surgery. Conclusions The Kugel repair approach was possible even in patients with obturator hernia requiring intestinal resection. However, for patients with perforations, open surgery should be performed after securing the surgical field through a midline incision.

An 85-year-old malnourished woman presented with symptoms of small bowel obstruction of uncertain aetiology. She had presented numerous times over the previous 2 years with symptoms of left groin and thigh pain, vomiting and abdominal distension. A CT of her abdomen and pelvis ultimately revealed a left-sided pelvic hernia, between the obturator internus and pectineal muscles. This was consistent with an obturator hernia. Diagnostic laparoscopy confirmed an obturator hernia of Richter type, incarcerated within the left obturator canal. Reduction revealed a hernia sac containing viable small bowel. A primary repair was performed using a double-layer suture technique to both close and plug the hernia defect. The patient rapidly recovered following hernia repair, with resolution of all previous long-standing symptoms. This case exemplifies the typical presentation of an obturator hernia and the diagnostic challenge it poses to clinicians.

Hernia arising from obturator canal is rare and it contributes to about less than 1% of incidence of all hernias. Diagnosing an obturator hernia clinically is a challenging one and nearly impossible. These hernias usually present as an intestinal obstruction as more than 50% of obturator hernias goes in for strangulation. Here, we report an unusual presentation of an obturator hernia in a 70-year-old woman who presented to emergency room with acute abdomen and uncomplicated reducible inguinal hernia. Radiological imaging showed obstructed inguinal hernia while on diagnostic laparoscopy, a strangulated and perforated obturator hernia of Richter’s type was seen in addition to an uncomplicated inguinal hernia. Obturator hernia, although very rare, is associated with high morbidity and mortality as it is often underdiagnosed as in our case. Laparoscopy bailed us out from missing out a perforation from an occult obturator hernia.

Summary Background/Objective Obturator hernia is rare type of abdominal hernia and its diagnosis usually is made intraoperatively for bowel obstruction or computed tomography (CT) scans of the abdomen. The aim of this study was to review patient's records with respect to clinical manifestation, CT scan findings, and operative outcomes. Methods From April 2009 to January 2015, six female patients with incarcerated obturator hernia underwent urgent operation for acute intestinal obstruction. The medical records were reviewed with respect to clinical manifestation, findings of CT scan and the outcomes of operation. Results The median age of patients was 83 years (range, 79–87 years) and the body mass index was 21.61 ± 0.52 kg/m 2 . CT scans of abdomen demonstrated that intestinal obstruction secondary to obturator hernia, consistency with operative findings. Partial bowel resection was performed in two of six patients because of necrosis of incarcerated obturator hernia. The hernia was repaired with interrupted sutures. Lung infection occurred in one patient, and wound infection in another. One recurrence was observed and two patients died from the unrelated diseases during the period of follow-up. Conclusion The diagnosis of obturator hernia can be made by CT scan preoperatively, and the obturator hernia should be suspected when an unexplained bowel obstruction in elderly, thin women occurs.

Hernia through the obturator canal is usually unsuspected and hence undiagnosed. Patients with obturator hernias present as acute cases of intestinal obstruction secondary to strangulation or incarceration, with high rate of morbidity and mortality due to delayed diagnosis and treatment. The know incidence of obturator hernia is low, representing 0.073% (11 of 15,098) of all hernias repaired at the Mayo Clinic in a retrospective study of 15 years. In this study, we conducted a retrospective analysis of laparoscopic extraperitoneal hernia repairs that were performed between the years 2003 and 2007. All procedures were undertaken by 2 experienced surgeons who performed more than 150 previous surgeries. In 293 patients who underwent repair of bilateral or recurrent inguinal hernia, exploration of the obturator foramen was conducted looking for obturator hernia, which was found in 20 cases (6.82% of patients). The true incidence of obturator hernia is greater than that reported in the literature, and the chances of detecting hernia are greater if an equal number of men and women are scanned could be higher if pelvic scanning was performed.

Obturator hernia (OH), a rare type of hernia, is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Diagnosis is often delayed as clinical symptoms are typically non-specific. OH is frequently associated with other occult inguinopelvic herniae. Early diagnosis is vital to decrease morbidity and mortality. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented to the surgical outpatients' department with non-specific bilateral groin pain radiating to the thighs. CT of the pelvis demonstrated bilateral OH with no radiological evidence of bowel obstruction. Semiurgent elective laparoscopic total extraperitoneal mesh repair was performed. Intraoperative findings confirmed bilateral obturator herniae as well as incidental bilateral femoral herniae. This case highlights the need for a high index of suspicion for such concomitant hernias that, in the presence of OH, may only be identified intraoperatively.

[No Abstract Available] Saudi Med J 2015; Vol. 36 (8): 1001-1003. doi: 10.15537/smj.2015.8.12235

WOS: 000394508600015 PubMed ID: 28074454 Obturator hernia is a rare disease usually occurring in debilitated elderly women. Pain radiating down the medial thigh and knee (Howship-Romberg sign) is a specific sign of the disease. Presently described is a case of obturator hernia in a 73-year-old female patient who presented with severe left hip pain radiating down the medial thigh and knee, nausea, and loss of appetite. Initially, vertebral disc herniation was thought to be cause, but abdomino-pelvic computed tomography scan revealed left strangulated obturator hernia. Diagnosis of obturator hernia can be challenging. Physicians should consider obturator hernia in the differential diagnosis of knee and hip pain, and investigate for Howship-Romberg sign. Early diagnosis of the disease not only decreases morbidity and mortality, but also presents opportunity to treat with minimally invasive methods.

Background: We performed a pilot study review of 7 female patients suffering with obturator neuralgia produced by a type I obturator hernia. Diagnosis and laparoscopic treatment of this rare hernia are presented. Methods: Patients with chronic pelvic pain and signs of obturator neuralgia were identified retrospectively by chart review. These patients had been referred to our chronic pelvic pain clinic. Outcomes of their surgery from February through November 2001 were analyzed. Median length of follow-up was 11 months (range, 6 to 16). A new technique using Cooper's ligament and arcus tendineus fasciae pelvis was used for the tension-free mesh hernia repair. Results: In this pilot study, 6 of 7 patients (86%) received greater than 50% relief of their chronic pelvic pain, which leads to the conclusion that we have at least 95% confidence that the pain reduction achieved is greater that 50%. Due to the small sample size, no statistically meaningful conclusions could be reached. All of the patients have reported some pain relief and increased function since surgery. Conclusion: Symptomatic type I obturator hernias may be more common than previously thought. Patients with obturator neuralgia, persisting longer than 6 months despite conservative therapy, may respond to laparoscopic reduction of the pilot fat tag and mesh overlay of the obturator canal.

A frail 60-year-old woman presented with a 5-day history of pain in the abdomen, constipation, vomiting and abdominal distension. There was no history of surgery or tuberculosis. On examination, the abdomen was distended and non-tender. The hernial sites were normal. On auscultation, hyperperistaltic bowel sounds were present. On X-ray of the abdomen there were multiple air fluid levels. Contrast-enhanced CT of the abdomen and pelvis showed right-sided obturator hernia (arrow) containing ischaemic small bowel loops with intestinal obstruction …

The diagnosis of obturator hernia is one of suspicion as it is almost never seen and rarely palpated. The incidence is less than 1% of all hernias worldwide. Five cases of obturator hernias are reported where the diagnosis of obturator hernia were overlooked. Keywords: obstruction, obturator hernia, small intestine

A 76-year-old woman presented acutely to the emergency room with clinical and X-ray features of intestinal obstruction. Contrastenhanced CT image of the abdomen demonstrated an abnormal ovoid soft tissue mass (Fig. A), located between the right pectineus and obturator externus muscles. The coronal (Fig. B) and sagittal (Fig. C) reconstruction revealed a loop of small intestine into the right side obturator canal area. Based on the radiological findings, the diagnosis of obturator hernia was made and confirmed at surgery.

Obturator hernias are rare, accounting for less than 1.5% of all hernias, and usually present with acute intestinal obstruction requiring emergency surgery. They are rarely diagnosed in the elective setting. We discuss two cases, a 52-year-old man and a 71-year-old woman, both presenting electively with a history suggestive of occult groin hernia; neither had a palpable lump. They both underwent out-patient herniography which demonstrated obturator hernia and both patients subsequently had elective laparoscopic repair, with good results. A high index of suspicion along with appropriate use of imaging modality allows for early identification of this rare condition. Early intervention can prevent the morbidity and mortality associated with complicated obturator hernia.

Background:Groin pain in athletes is a common symptom and may, among many other entities, be caused by skeletal changes in the symphysis and the pubic bone or hernia. Material and Methods:Herniographies in 51 athletes - mainly soccer players - with unclear groin pain were reviewed. The prevalence of various hernias and skeletal changes at the symphysis and os pubis was registered. A questionnaire was also sent to the patients 3-20 years after the herniography. Results:A hernia was found in 13 patients. Four patients had an indirect inguinal hernia. Eight patients had a direct inguinal hernia and 1 had an obturator hernia. The prevalence of direct inguinal hernia was higher than expected in young men. This may be explained by strain at physical exercise. Bone changes at the pubic symphysis were found in 32 patients, 21 of whom had advanced changes. Conclusion:A hernia can be found with herniography in one-fourth of athletes with long-standing unclear groin pain. Therefore herniography should be included in the diagnostic procedure. Lesions of the symphysis may be the result of strain of tendons, ligaments and fascias. This may predispose for an inguinal hernia as well.

Two patients were recently treated for incarcerated obturator hernias. Although the entity is unusual, the consequences of strangulation obstruction magnify its importance. Awareness of the natural history of the disease and the pathognomonic Howship-Romberg sign should reduce the incidence of gangrenous bowel and its resultant complications. The pitfalls encountered in the care of two patients and a review of the literature form the basis for this report.

Background An obturator hernia accompanied with a femoral abscess is rare, and leads to severe infection. Repeated draining is often required due to remnant abscess. Case presentation We herein reported a case of a perforated obturator hernia with a femoral abscess that was successfully treated via repair using the pectineus muscle. An 84-year-old Japanese woman was referred to our hospital with appetite loss and right femoral pain. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed a right obturator hernia and abscess spreading to the right thigh. Emergency surgery was performed. Intraoperative findings revealed that the abscess had formed because of a perforation in the small intestine by an incarcerated obturator hernia. We performed partial resection of the small intestine, repaired the hernial orifice, drained the right femoral abscess, and filled the cavity using the pectineus muscle. A residual abscess was not detectable following surgery, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 63. Conclusion Some patients with a perforated obturator hernia and femoral abscess have a residual abscess following surgery that requires redrainage. Nevertheless, we consider it possible to successfully treat a perforated obturator hernia with a femoral abscess via repair using the pectineus muscle.