Experience in Obturator Hernia at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital

Abstract

Objective: To review the experience in management of patients with obturator hernia.

Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on all patients who were diagnosed with obturator hernia and treated at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital between October 2013 and September 2018.

Results: Forty-seven patients with obturator hernia were treated during the study period, comprising 0.03% of all hernias seen at Chiangrai Prachanukroh Hospital. The incidence was higher in thin elderly female patients. Most common clinical presentation was small bowel obstruction. Nearly 50% of patient with obturator hernia had bowel strangulation and needed more invasive surgical management such as segmental resection or debridement and suture.

Conclusion: Obturator hernia is difficult to diagnose by clinical presentation. Delayed diagnosis is associated with bowel strangulation, with high morbidity and mortality rate. CT scan is useful for early diagnosis of obturator hernia in suspected cases, especially in thin elderly female patient with clinical bowel obstruction.