Obturator hernia: a report of eight cases.

Obturator hernia is a rare problem that occurs predominantly in elderly, emaciated women. The diagnosis of obturator hernia is difficult to establish in most patients before an operation is performed. Both delayed diagnosis and delayed surgical intervention contribute to high mortality. From 1978 to 1992, eight cases of obturator hernia involved elderly females who had received operations at this hospital. Resection of the incarcerated bowel was required. The often debilitated condition of these patients and the frequent delay of diagnosis combined to produce significant operative mortality.