Obturator hernia: Current diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

Obturator hernia is a rare pelvic hernia for which both diagnosis and therapy are difficult. Because symptoms are nonspecific and specific physical findings are often obscure, diagnosis of obturator hernia is often delayed until laparotomy for bowel obstruction. Strangulation is frequent, and mortality remains high (25%). Primary closure of the hernia defect is difficult because adjacent tissues are not easily mobilized. Although a variety of techniques have been described, surgical repair has not been standardized.