Intestinal obstruction, obturator hernia, and/or colonic neoplasms: a case study

Occlusive hernias are rare and difficult to diagnose. We present an extraordinary case of simultaneous occurrence of an obturator hernia with colon cancer. An 86-year-old woman arrived at the hospital after ˃2 weeks of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The computed tomography axis map showed that part of the right lower abdominal small intestine had intruded into the femoral triangle through the obturator, which was diagnosed as an obturator hernia. When the abdominal cavity was opened for herniorrhaphy, a 4 × 4 cm colon mass was observed. Only herniorrhaphy was performed, without any complications. At present, there has been no report of the coexistence of occlusive hernia and colon cancer; the main symptoms are intestinal obstruction, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. The decision whether the tumor should be removed simultaneously with herniorrhaphy and/or a mesh patch.