Introduction.

Due to the rarity of the obturator hernia and the impossibility to develop controlled studies with a high degree of evidence, most of the reference in the literature comes from case reports. This, coupled with little knowledge of the anatomical area of ​​presentation and clinical picture, makes it the hernia with the highest mortality.

Methods.

A literature search was carried out in the main databases, illustrated with patients managed in the General Surgery Service of the Clínica Santa María de Sincelejo.

Discussion.

Obturator hernia can be discovered in elderly women with a history of abdominal surgery or multiparity. The Howship - Romberg sign occurs in half of the patients, it can be associated with lower abdominal pain, vomiting, and progressive distension. Plain abdominal X-ray shows delayed air-fluid levels with absence of gas in the rectal ampulla, but since it is not very specific to demonstrate the site of obstruction, computed axial tomography is preferable.

Conclusion.

Obturator hernia requires a high index of suspicion, which helps early detection and immediate surgical intervention, to avoid complications.

        · resumen en Español     · texto en Español     · Español ( pdf )