Incarcerated Obturator Hernia: The Need of Herniorrhaphy in Self-reduced Obturator Hernia

An obturator hernia is an exceptionally rare form of hernia. It occurs mostly in elderly, thin, multiparous, and emaciated women. Correct diagnosis and treatment is important because delayed treatment can lead to a higher mortality rate. Recently, we experienced two cases of mechanical small bowel obstruction due to incarcerated obturator hernia. One of these patients was an 83-year-old woman who was diagnosed with left incarcerated obturator hernia by computed tomography (CT). The patient’s symptom disappeared abruptly. A recheck CT scan revealed self-reduction of the obturator hernia, and the patient refused operation. Two weeks later, the patient was presented again to the emergency clinic with incarcerated small bowel in the left obturator hernia, which was seen on CT. The other patient was a 79-year-old woman who had a 2-day history of abdominal pain. She was diagnosed with a right obturator hernia by CT. Both patients were treated without bowel resection.