Strangulated Obturator Hernia: Mesh-Plug Technique

ABSTRACT

Although obturator herniae are rare, they are associated with a high mortality, as diagnosis is often delayed and the condition tends to occur in the elderly. The preoperative diagnosis is difficult because of nonspecific symptoms and sign. They often produce a small bowel obstruction. The treatment is always surgical. Several repair techniques have been described a sac ligation alone, a direct suture repair, and the use of autologous tissue or prosthetic repair. Recently, the placement of permanent mesh prostheses, in a clean contaminated operative field, has been performed due to the minimal wound-related morbidity and patient mortality. Thus, utilization of a permanent mesh in an obturator hernia is a new, simple and effective method for repair. Two cases of a strangulated obturator hernia were experienced in elderly women. The peritoneal cavity was not overly contaminated, with only necrotic foci on the herniated small bowel wall noted. A segmental resection of the small bowel was performed. Consequently, the hernia defect was closed with mesh- plug between the peritoneum and periosteum of the obturator foramen. Here, two cases of obturator herniae treated by use of a mesh-plug are reported, with a brief review of the literature.