Unilateral Obturator Hernia in Elderly Male: A Case Presentation

Abstract

OBTURATOR HERNIA is a rare condition of pelvic hernia in which abdominal contents protrude through the obturator canal. This condition can lead to bowel obstruction with relatively high mortality and morbidity due to bowel ischemia/gangrene. Most commonly presents in elderly thin females. It is primarily asymptomatic unless there is compression of the obturator nerve. Therefore, obturator hernia in the differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction of unknown origin. Computed tomography is the modality of choice for preoperative diagnosis as obturator hernia. Sometimes mistakenly diagnosed as femoral or inguinal hernia on Ultrasonography. Its early diagnosis is challenging since the signs and symptoms are non-specific make a preoperative diagnosis difficult. We present a case of obturator hernia in an 81-year-old male with a known prostate carcinoma who presented with a painless soft swelling in the medial aspect of the right upper thigh and a negative Howship-Romberg sign.