title: Obturator hernia: laparoscopic diagnosis and repair.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Review of international literature reveals eight reported cases of laparoscopic obturator hernia repair. Non-specific signs and symptoms make the diagnosis of an obturator hernia difficult. Laparoscopic intervention provides a minimally invasive method to simultaneously diagnose and repair these hernias.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 35 year old woman presented with lower abdominal pain, vaginal bleeding, and dyspareunia. During gynecological diagnostic laparoscopy, a pelvic floor hernia was suspected, and a general surgical evaluation was sought. At a subsequent laparoscopy, the diagnosis of a left direct inguinal and a right obturator hernia was made. Both were repaired laparoscopically with polypropylene mesh.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At follow-up at one and six weeks postoperatively, the patient's complaints of pain had completely resolved.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The diagnosis of obturator hernia is problematic. The usual presenting signs and symptoms are non-specific. Without conclusive historical or physical findings, laparoscopy is an excellent method for diagnosing obturator hernia. This entity, once diagnosed laparoscopically, can be repaired simultaneously via laparoscopic mesh technique.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Haith
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Simeone
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Reilly
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Patton
authors.forename: B E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Moss
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Shotwell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006553:Hernia, Obturator / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D016896:Treatment Outcome