Diagnosis of obturator hernia

Abstract

Obturator hernia is relatively rare and has a diagnostic challenge. In this report we present four patients and discuss diagnostic strategy for obturator hernia. Two patients presented with intestinal obstruction and other two patients present with swelling at labium majus. Howship-Romberg sign was present in three patients. Preoperative diagnosis was made in three patients. The diagnosis confirmed with abdominal tomography and ultrasonography in two patients. Two patients which presented with intestinal obstruction operated by abdominal approach, other two patients operated by preperitoneal approach with suprapubic transvers incision. One patient who presented with small bowel obstruction died in postoperative period. We conclude that, if the elderly thin patient who has small bowel obstruction or the woman who has labial swelling or the patient who has Howship-Romberg sign we recommend performing abdominal and pelvic tomography and ultrasonography, for early detection of obturator hernia.