Obturator hernia is rare and is usually discovered by chance at operation or autopsy. In certain cases obturator hernia may cause sliding and strangulation of abdominal viscera inside the hernial sac, presenting clinically as bowel obstruction. An 83-year-old woman with signs of bowel obstruction was operated after 48 hours of conservative treatment and a small bowel loop was found strangulated inside the sac of an obturator hernia.