Periumbilical giant abscess and intestinal leakage in late pregnancy: A rare case report and literature review

Abstract

Background: Complicated Periumbilical abscess in late pregnancy is rare in clinical practice. Pubmed searches for articles published from January 1980 to September 2021. Such related reports did not retrieve article about “pregnancy” and “periumbilical abscess.” Case presentation: We reported on a 34-year-old female patient who was admitted to the hospital with periumbilical pain for 3 days at 34 + 1 weeks of pregnancy. The result of imaging examination showed that there was an inflammatory mass in the middle and lower abdominal wall in the third trimester of pregnancy. The periumbilical abscess was punctured and drained first, and then the pregnant woman was assisted to give birth to a baby girl through vagina after the condition was stable. Subsequently, laparotomy + abdominal abscess resection and drainage + partial small bowel resection + ileostomy were performed. Pathology showed inflammatory mass. Conclusions: Periumbilical abscess in the third trimester of pregnancy is rare clinically. For some pregnant women with previous trauma and surgical history, obstetric examination should not be restricted. For example, pregnant women with a history of abdominal surgery should expand the range of abdominal color Doppler ultrasound during the prenatal examination. When necessary, combine with computed tomography for diagnosis and treatment, avoid missed diagnosis, which will make the treatment more difficult and increase the risk. If the pregnant women has corresponding symptoms in the third trimester, vaginal delivery can be performed to terminate the pregnancy, and then the periumbilical abscess can be removed. At the same time, closely monitor the vital signs of newborn and mothers.