Strangulated obturator hernia: can mortality be reduced?

We describe two patients with strangulated obturator hernia to enhance clinical awareness of the varied presentations of this uncommon hernia, which occurs especially in elderly women with either recurrent abdominal pain or partial intestinal obstruction, a positive Howship-Romberg sign, and an absent thigh adductor reflex. Early laparotomy for unexplained bowel obstruction is essential to avoid the complications associated with strangulated obturator hernia.