Spontaneous Rupture of Uterine Vessels in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy Resulting in Severe Hemoperitoneum and Fetal Death: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract

Spontaneous hemoperitoneum during pregnancy, caused by rupture of uterine vessels, is a rare and dangerous complication that can lead to maternal and foetal death. We presented a case of a 25-year-old primigravid woman with severe abdominal pain, distension, and hemodynamic instability at 33 weeks of gestation. An ultrasound and computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealed intraperitoneal fluid collection with a non-viable intrauterine pregnancy. Following this, we did an emergency exploratory laparotomy with suturing the ruptured uterine vessel and delivered a freshly dead fetus. This case highlighted the rare occurrence of spontaneous hemoperitoneum due to rupture of the uterine vessel during pregnancy and the need for urgent intervention to avoid complications.

Keywords:

• spontaneous hemoperitoneum
• uterine vessel rupture
• pregnancy

Data Sharing Statement

Data important for case reports were included in the article, and additional sources of information were not needed.

Ethical Consent

Written informed consent for the publication of the case and images obtained from the patient. Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of Burao University.

Acknowledgment

We would like to especially thank all the teams involved in the management of the case and the patient for giving her consent to report her case scenario.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.