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Hepatic rupture after cesarean section in a patient with HELLP syndrome: a case report and review of the literature

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Abstract

Background

Spontaneous hepatic rupture in pregnancy is rare and carries a high maternal and perinatal mortality.

Case report

We describe a case of hepatic rupture that occurred after emergency caesarean section performed in a pregnant woman at 38 weeks of gestation with Hemolysis, Elevated Liver enzymes and Low Platelet count (HELLP) syndrome. The patient was discharged after 30 days of intensive therapy and four explorative laparotomies. Today, 2 years after delivery, the patient and her baby are doing well.

Conclusion

Hepatic rupture in pregnancy is a rare event that may complicate HELLP syndrome. In this case, we were able to achieve an excellent clinical outcome by the performance of an immediately explorative laparotomy.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pharmacology, Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, Sassari, 07100, Italy

    Salvatore Dessole, Giampiero Capobianco, Paolo Virdis & Giovanni Rubattu

  2. Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Padua, Padua, Italy

    Erich Cosmi

  3. Institute of General Surgery, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy

    Alberto Porcu

Authors
  1. Salvatore Dessole
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  2. Giampiero Capobianco
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  3. Paolo Virdis
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  4. Giovanni Rubattu
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  5. Erich Cosmi
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  6. Alberto Porcu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giampiero Capobianco.

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Dessole, S., Capobianco, G., Virdis, P. et al. Hepatic rupture after cesarean section in a patient with HELLP syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. Arch Gynecol Obstet 276, 189–192 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0318-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-006-0318-9

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