To investigate the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, and treatment of incarcerated obturator hernia in elderly patients.

The clinical data of 37 patients with incarcerated obturator hernia who were admitted to Anqing Medical Center of Anhui Medical University for emergency treatment between October 2013 and October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and clinical manifestations were analyzed.

All 37 patients were elderly women from rural areas of Anqing and were admitted to the emergency department with symptoms of intestinal obstruction. The diagnosis was confirmed by emergency preoperative computed tomography (CT) in all patients. Four patients declined further treatment, while the remaining 33 underwent emergency exploratory laparotomy and suture repair of the obturator hernia. Of these, 32 patients recovered well and were discharged after recovery, with a mean hospital stay of 12.3 days. One patient died on the second postoperative day due to refractory septic shock and multiple organ failure. During follow-up, one patient experienced recurrence two years after surgery, and another required reoperation for metachronous incarceration of an obturator hernia.

Abdominal and pelvic CT is an effective imaging modality for diagnosing incarcerated obturator hernia. Emergency surgical intervention is essential for patients with incarcerated obturator hernia. A transabdominal approach is recommended, and suture repair of the obturator canal is a simple, feasible, safe, and reliable surgical technique suitable for use in primary hospitals. The contralateral side should be carefully explored during surgery, and prophylactic suture repair is recommended for high-risk patients, provided that it does not increase surgical risk.