A RARE CASE OF RICHTER'S OBTURATOR HERNIA ON RIGHT SIDE IN A MALE PATIENT: A CASE REPORT AND REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Obturator hernia is a rare form of pelvic hernia accounting for 0.07-1% of all types of hernias and 0.2 to 1.6% of all the cases of small bowel obstruction having the highest mortality rate of all abdominal wall hernias between 13% to 40%. A 65-year-old male with small bowel obstruction related to Richter's obturator hernia found incidentally on exploratory laparotomy was treated effectively. A high suspicion for obturator hernia should be maintained when assessing a patient presenting with small bowel obstruction, particularly where intermittent symptoms or medial thigh pain are present. Rapid clinical and appropriate radiological assessment, followed by early surgery is critical for successful treatment.