Cases of strangulated obturator hernia

Abstract

Obturator hernias are extremely rare in surgical practice. Only about 600 cases are described in the world medical literature. To diagnose obturator hernia is very complicated. Hernial protrusion is not often observed. The strangulation of obturator hernia is accompanied by rapidly developing symptoms of intestinal obstruction, which is usually an indication for emergency surgery. The article analyzes two clinical cases of strangulated obturator hernia and one traumatic eventration and strangulation of small intestine in the obturator ring ruined by trauma. In all cases the indication of surgery was clinical picture of a growing intestinal obstruction or acute abdomen. Only in one case, despite the prevailing clinical picture of acute intestinal obstruction in the light of anamnesis and the accompanying neurological symptoms before the operation could be suspected strangulated obturator hernia, which was confirmed during surgery. As it was mentioned above, in doubtful cases to clarify the diagnosis should be applied other methods of examination of patients, including computed tomography.