Obstruction of Small Bowel due to Strangulated Obturator Hernia: Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: Obturator hernia is one of the rare types of hernia and the important cause of small intestine obstruction. It mostly occurs in elderly people and women. This disease is challenging to diagnose and has a high mortality rate. Cese Presentation: In this study, two patients are introduced. The first patient was a 95-year-old woman who came with symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, nausea, bilious vomiting, as well as lack of gas and stool excretion. There was no suspicious pathological examination. The computed tomography (CT) scan was performed for the patient with the report of the left Obturator hernia. The second case is an 88-year-old woman with a history of neurological problems and symptoms of gastrointestinal obstruction, who had tenderness and rebound tenderness of the right lower quadrant of the abdomen during the examination. Since imaging findings were normal, the CT scan was performed for the patient, and the report was in favor of the right obturator hernia. Both patients underwent surgery with a midline incision of the abdomen. The small intestine was gangrenous at the hernia site and did not have proper peristalsis. Therefore, she underwent resection and anastomosis of the small intestine and repair of the obturator hernia. Conclusion: Obturator hernia is a rare but significant cause of intestinal obstruction, especially in emaciated elderly women. The diagnosis of this disease is challenging for doctors. One of the appropriate methods for diagnosing this disease is a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, and the only treatment method is surgery.