title: Obturator hernia needs a laparotomy, not a diagnosis.
abstract: The obturator hernia is rare, accounting for only 0.05% of all hernias and 0.2% of all small-bowel obstructions requiring laparotomy at our institution. Typically, there is a delay in diagnosis and surgical intervention, despite the presence of a bowel obstruction. A laparotomy is needed, not a preoperative diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, York Hospital, Pennsylvania 17405, USA.
authors.forename: D W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Ziegler
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rhoads
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006553:Hernia, Obturator / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D008297:Male