Obturator Hernia: symptoms, types and treatments
What is obturator hernia
Obturator hernia is a rare condition that develops through the obturator canal, a small opening located in the pelvis.
It mainly affects elderly, thin women and is often associated with intestinal obstruction.
Obturator Hernia: How it manifests
The most common symptoms include:
- pelvic or thigh pain, sometimes radiating to the knee (Howship–Romberg sign),
- digestive or abdominal disorders,
- in more severe cases, acute intestinal obstruction.
Because of its rarity and deep location, diagnosis is often delayed and requires CT or MRI for confirmation.
Why surgery is necessary?
Obturator hernia does not resolve spontaneously and carries a high risk of complications, such as:
- incarceration,
- intestinal strangulation,
- acute intestinal obstruction with peritonitis.
For this reason, surgery is always recommended as soon as the diagnosis is made.
What happens if left untreated
 If neglected, obturator hernia almost always progresses to acute complications with:
- severe abdominal pain,
- intestinal obstruction,
- high mortality in case of emergency surgery.
Planned surgery is always safer and less risky than emergency surgery, because it allows the surgeon to operate under optimal conditions and ensures a faster recovery.
For this reason, when suspicious symptoms appear, prompt medical evaluation is recommended, allowing the most appropriate time for intervention to be chosen.
ProFlor technique:a safe, clear, and technologically advanced pathway
The treatment of obturator hernia is currently performed with the ProFlor technique, which involves positioning the device in the preperitoneal space through a transabdominal approach, both open and laparoscopic.
This method represents the most advanced technological solution and ensures:
- definitive correction of the defect,
- absence of fixation stitches → less postoperative pain,
- perfect integration with surrounding tissues,
- drastic reduction of recurrence risk.
Your treatment journey step by step
Each procedure is part of a clear and shared process that accompanies the patient from the first visit to complete recovery.
Clear information and constant availability for dialogue make the journey peaceful and safe.
Start your care journey today
The first consultation is the starting point: a moment of listening and evaluation, essential to set up a safe and personalized treatment pathway.
Book your consultation and face your treatment journey with peace of mind.
FAQ
Is obturator hernia common?
 No, it is very rare but particularly insidious due to its high risk of complications.
Can thigh pain be caused by the hernia?
 Yes, it is a typical symptom caused by compression of the obturator nerve (Howship–Romberg sign).
Is the ProFlor technique painful?
 No, thanks to preperitoneal placement without fixation, postoperative pain is minimal.
Is the risk of recurrence high?
 With ProFlor the risk is extremely low, thanks to its innovative structure and the permanent obliteration of the defect.
The future of obturator hernia treatment
Technological progress is opening new perspectives in the treatment of rare and complex hernias such as obturator hernia.
The Stenting & Shielding Hernia System (S&S) represents a cutting-edge solution, designed to protect and reinforce the abdominal wall without fixation stitches and with a biologically integrated approach.
This new device:
- laparoscopic atraumatic implantation in just a few seconds,
- no tissue dissection, sharp instruments or fixation with sutures/glues,
- adapts dynamically to body movements,
- offers immediate and long-lasting stability,
- its proprietary permanent defect obliteration nearly eliminates the risks of recurrence and complications,
- near-complete reduction of postoperative pain and very fast recovery times.
After having successfully passed the preclinical phase in a porcine model, the S&S Hernia System is awaiting regulatory approvals to enter industrial production and subsequent commercialization, paving the way for a future in which even the rarest and most difficult hernias will be treated with increasingly safe, effective, and minimally invasive methods.
Biography
Prof. Giuseppe Amato
Prof. Giuseppe Amato is a general surgeon, internationally recognised for his research on abdominal hernias and for developing techniques and devices that have revolutionised the treatment of this condition.
His work is based on scientific rigour, attention to the individual and a constant commitment to offering safe, minimally invasive solutions focused on patients’ quality of life.
His work combines clinical experience and research, resulting in innovative devices such as ProFlor and the Stenting & Shielding Hernia System, designed to promote tissue regeneration and minimise complications.