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Hemoperitoneum in pregnancy from a ruptured varix of broad ligament

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Abstract

We present a case of a 31-year-old woman, gravida 4 para 1, pregnant at 33 + 2 weeks of gestational age with acute abdomen due to hemoperitoneum. Hemoperitoneum was suspected for non-specific symptoms such as acute abdominal pain, vomit, cardiotocography alterations and maternal acute anaemia. An emergency caesarean section was performed; 3 L of blood was present in abdomen. Careful exploration of the uterus, placenta, abdominal organs and vessels was negative; only a bleeding from a rupture in a varix of the left broad ligament was observed. Hemoperitoneum due to a ruptured uterine varix in pregnancy is a rare condition. The solution to prevent the development of maternal hypovolemic shock is an immediate surgical intervention. A good foetal prognosis principally depends from gestational age and from good hemodynamic maternal conditions.

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I certify that there is no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mother-Infant Department, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital Policlinico, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, via Del Pozzo 71, 41100, Modena, Italy

    Simone Giulini, Renata Zanin & Annibale Volpe

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  1. Simone Giulini
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  2. Renata Zanin
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  3. Annibale Volpe
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Correspondence to Simone Giulini.

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Giulini, S., Zanin, R. & Volpe, A. Hemoperitoneum in pregnancy from a ruptured varix of broad ligament. Arch Gynecol Obstet 282, 459–461 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1411-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-010-1411-7

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