Obturator hernia is an uncommon intra-abdominal hernia with the incidence of 0.05-1.4% of all hernias. Diagnosis is often delayed as the clinical picture is usually non-specific and poses a diagnostic challenge to clinicians. This report describes a case of an 80-year-old woman, who presented to the Emergency Department with left lower quadrant abdominal pain that radiates to the left hip region for one day. Plain abdominal radiography showed dilated loops of small bowel in the pelvic region. Contrasted Enhanced Computed Tomography (CECT) of abdomen and pelvis demonstrated left obturator hernia with small bowel obstruction. Emergency laparoscopic obturator hernia repair was performed. Intraoperative findings confirmed a left incarcerated obturator hernia. The small bowel was reduced and viable. Subsequently, a primary closure of the hernia orifice was performed. This case report emphasizes the successful use of a laparoscopic approach in obstructed obturator hernia and its feasibility in an emergency setting.
Laparoscopy