Contained Uterine Rupture Managed Conservatively after Vaginal Delivery

Abstract

Background Uterine rupture in an otherwise unscarred uterus is a rare event, with most sources describing it on the order of 1/5700 to 1/20,000 deliveries [1]. Risk factors include high multiparity, use of uterotonics, advanced maternal age, macrosomia, malpresentation, placental invasion, and prolonged labor [2-3]. Historically, management of this complication involves exploratory laparotomy with surgical repair or hysterectomy. Few reports have been published that describe conservative management in the setting of uterine rupture. Objective(s) To describe the conservative management of contained uterine rupture. Study Design Case report Case Summary A 39-year-old gravida 5, para 4 with history of pre-eclampsia was admitted for induction of labor at 40 weeks 0 days. Her intrapartum labor was complicated by pre-eclampsia with severe features. She had a vaginal delivery after 20 hours of induction without immediate complications. Following delivery, the patient complained of severe right lower quadrant pain, which was treated with escalating pain regimen, but continued to worsen. A CT scan was obtained, which revealed a right retroperitoneal hematoma with findings suspicious for uterine rupture. The patient was taken to the operating room for exploratory laparotomy with findings of a right-sided broad ligament hematoma measuring 15 cm by 6 cm, extending into the retroperitoneal space. The surgery ended without additional procedures since the patient was hemodynamically stable, and the hematoma was non-expanding. Postoperatively, she was started on a multimodal pain regimen, and eventually discharged on postoperative day 3 after pain improved. Conclusion We describe a contained uterine rupture noted in the immediate postpartum period after an uncomplicated vaginal delivery. Our patient had several risk factors for uterine rupture such as advanced maternal aged, high multiparity, and macrosomia. Surgical exploration noted a large non-expanding hematoma overlying the site of suspected uterine rupture, which was stable. In an otherwise hemodynamically stable patient with contained uterine rupture, conservative management is a reasonable option.