PREOPERATIVE DIAGNOSIS OF STRANGULATED OBTURATOR HERNIA USING ULTRASONOGRAPHY

BACKGROUND: Obturator hernia is rarely recognized before surgical inte rvention, since it is relatively infrequent and its definitive diagnos is is difficult. To change this situation, we introduced ultrasound ex amination in 1993 for differential diagnosis of strangulated obturator hernia among patients with bowel obstruction of unknown cause. PATIEN TS AND METHODS: Between 1993 and 1995, we encountered 15 patients with suspected obturator hernia based on the presence of bowel obstruction of unknown cause and so-called predisposing factors. These patients u nderwent ultrasound examinations. RESULTS: The 4 patients with bowel o bstruction caused by strangulated obturator hernia were all correctly diagnosed preoperatively by ultrasonography and were successfully cure d by surgery. The time required for diagnosis was shorter than reporte d previously (average 16.5 h). CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasonography is useful and reliable for the diagnosis of strangulated obturator hernia and ca n decrease the morbidity and mortality associated with delayed diagnos is. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.