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

Kidus Kebede Abadi,1 Abdikani Hassan Jama,1 Hezron Adinew Addi,2 Awol Yemane Legesse,3 Akebom Kidanemariam Gebremichael4 1Daruxannan General Hospital, Burao, Somaliland, Somalia; 2Burao Imaging Center, Burao, Somaliland, Somalia; 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia; 4Saint Peter’s Specialised Hospital, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Kidus Kebede Abadi, Email Kiduskebedetox@gmail.comAbstract: 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