Open AccessRecurrent Obturator Hernia as a Cause of Nonspecific Abdominal Pain: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Yoon YH,
Moon SW,
Cho HJ,
Lee SW,
Choi SH,
Hong YS
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
hong kong journal of emergency medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.145
H-Index - 12
eISSN - 2309-5407
pISSN - 1024-9079
DOI - 10.1177/102490791201900309
Subject(s) - medicine , obturator hernia , abdominal pain , emergency department , hernia , bowel obstruction , femoral hernia , surgery , computed tomography , abdominal computed tomography , general surgery , abdominal hernia , inguinal hernia , radiology , nursing
Many patients visit the emergency department (ED) with abdominal pain. Sometimes, physicians are faced with diagnostic challenges, particularly for older patients. We recently had an elderly female patient who visited the ED several times with non‐specific abdominal pain caused by an unusual hernia. One year before, an 81‐year‐old female visited our ED complaining of abdominal pain radiating to the right inguinal/femoral area. An incarcerated obturator hernia was found on an abdomino‐pelvic computed tomography (CT) scan, and she underwent a laparoscopic hernioplasty. However, 1 year later, she revisited complaining of abdominal pain similar to the previous episode. Eventually, the diagnosis of recurrent obturator hernia was made, and a second operation was performed. An obturator hernia may be the cause of non‐specific abdominal pain and small bowel obstruction in elderly emaciated females. Recognising the clinical signs and characteristics of this disease is necessary for a prompt diagnosis and treatment.