Abstract
Eleven obturator hernia cases treated at our hospital between 1998 and 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. All 11 patients were female, with a median age of 82 years and a median body mass index of 14.8 kg/m2. Overall, 91% of the patients were multiparas, and 55% had not had previous abdominal surgery. Symptoms resembling ileus were observed in 82% of patients, and the Howship-Romberg sign was present in 64% of patients. In addition, 3 patients had femoral pain, and these patients could be diagnosed early. While 73% of patients were diagnosed preoperatively by computed tomography findings, 2 patients (18%) were diagnosed based on operative findings. One patient could not be diagnosed and died of septic shock caused by intestinal perforation. Surgery was performed in 10 patients (91%), with bowel resection in 6 patients. Despite its high mortality, obturator hernia tends to be diagnosed late because of its minimal symptoms. In cases of thin, elderly women without a history of previous abdominal surgery who complain of symptoms such as ileus or femoral pain, obturator hernia should be considered in the differential diagnosis, and these patients should be diagnosed and treated early.
