Spontaneous Uterine Rupture of an Unscarred Uterus before Labour

Unscarred uterine rupture with catastrophic hemorrhage immediately after vaginal delivery: diagnosis and management of six consecutive cases

BACKGROUND

To describe and explore the risk factors, clinical presentations, timely diagnostic approaches, and management in patients experiencing unscarred uterine rupture with catastrophic hemorrhage.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical and imaging data from women who encountered postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and were diagnosed with unscarred uterine rupture within a three-year timeframe (2018-2020). The data were extracted from medical records obtained from a multi-hospital 24-hour emergency PPH transfer system.

RESULTS

Six patients were identified as having unscarred uterine rupture after vaginal delivery. All six women were para 2, with four of them undergoing vacuum-assisted delivery. One patient experienced out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), while five patients presented with hypovolemic shock. Abdominopelvic ultrasound revealed a boggy lower uterine segment. Initially, five patients underwent transarterial embolization (TAE) of the internal iliac arteries in an attempt to achieve hemostasis, but this approach proved unsuccessful. Abdominopelvic computed tomography (CT) confirmed the diagnosis of ruptured uterus by demonstrating disrupted myometrium and hemoperitoneum. Immediate exploratory laparotomy followed by life-saving hysterectomy was performed in all cases. The median estimated total blood loss was 2725 mL ± 900 mL (ranging from 1600 mL to 7100 mL). Lower segment lacerations were observed in all patients, with more extensive uterine damage noted in those who underwent vacuum extraction. The length of hospital stay varied between 9 and 38 days.

CONCLUSION

Instrument-assisted obstetric delivery is a possible contributing factor to unscarred uterine rupture in our study. In specific cases, the use of abdominopelvic CT prior to initiating transarterial embolization (TAE) offers valuable information to complement ultrasound findings. This comprehensive approach helps in accurately identifying the underlying cause of intractable postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Immediate conversion to laparotomy is essential to explore the intra-abdominal factors causing PPH that cannot be controlled by TAE. The rational etiologies of uterine rupture must be clarified while generating practical guideline in the future.

Spontaneous Rupture of Unscarred Uterus in a Term Primagravida with Lethal Skeletal Dysplasia Fetus (Thanatophoric dysplasia). A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Background and Importance

 Spontaneous uterine rupture, especially in an unscarred uterus, is a rare pregnancy complication that can cause severe morbidity and mortality in both the mother and the fetus. The vast majority of uterine ruptures occur in the presence of a previous uterine scar, most commonly from a previous cesarean delivery. To our knowledge, here we reported the first case of spontaneous rupture of unscarred uterus in a term primigravida secondary to lethal skeletal dysplasia fetus (Type 1 Thanatophoric dysplasia) faced by a practicing clinician in an underdeveloped country (Somalia) with a successful outcome.

Case Presentation

 The patient was 24 yrs. Old Primagravida, at 40 weeks gestation by LMP, presented with abdominal pain and active vaginal bleeding; she did not receive antenatal care during pregnancy; after initial abdominal ultrasonography and vaginal examination, laparotomy was performed due to high suspicion of uterine rupture. After dead fresh fetal extraction, the uterine defect was repaired successfully, and the patient was discharged home in good condition after several days.

Conclusion

 Through this case, we would like to highlight the urgent need to focus on and recognize the importance of receiving antenatal care in the community so that the burden of thousands of lives lost each year can be reduced.

Uterine Rupture on MRI Presenting as Nonspecific Abdominal Pain in a Primigravid Patient with 28-Week Twins Resulting in Normal Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at Age Two

Background

Uterine rupture is a rare occurrence that requires a high index of suspicion, particularly in a primigravid patient who presents prior to the onset of labor. Mortality rates are particularly high in primigravid patients.

Case

A 36-year-old gravida 1, para 0 patient with dichorionic diamniotic twins presented at 28-weeks of gestation with abdominal pain. The pain was initially intermittent and felt to be musculoskeletal in origin. Ultrasound imaging after 3 days of worsening abdominal pain revealed extrauterine fluid, prompting an urgent MRI. MRI diagnosed the uterine rupture with hemoperitoneum and herniation of both amniotic sacs outside of the uterus, including one twin's torso and extremities, prompting emergency cesarean section. The premature twins required 2-month hospitalizations and had no neurodevelopmental impairments at 2-year follow-up.

Conclusion

We present a unique case of rupture of an unscarred uterus in a primigravid patient prior to the onset of labor. Multiple gestation is a risk factor. This report adds to a handful of cases in which a history of endometriosis or extrauterine pelvic surgery was also present. The use of ultrasound and MRI to evaluate nonspecific abdominal pain led to the diagnosis and survival of both the mother and her premature twins.

Spontaneous Rupture of the Gravid Uterus in a Postmenopausal Woman Receiving Fertility Treatment

Uterine rupture is an uncommon obstetric emergency that is potentially fatal to the mother and fetus. Spontaneous rupture of the unscarred gravid uterus in postmenopausal women who achieve pregnancy through in vitro fertilization (IVF) has been infrequently described in the literature. We present the case of a 72-year-old postmenopausal woman, gravida 1 para 0, who conceived by donor oocyte IVF in Europe and subsequently suffered uterine rupture at 22 weeks gestation with large hemoperitoneum. The patient underwent emergent laparotomy, with successful repair of the uterine wall defects. Postmenopausal women face an increased risk of spontaneous uterine rupture and life-threatening bleeding, which is likely due to uterine atrophy and limited uterine capacity. Further research is needed to establish age-appropriate guidelines for selecting treatment candidates.

Maternal and fetal morbidity associated with uterine rupture of the unscarred uterus

OBJECTIVE

We sought to report obstetric and neonatal characteristics and outcomes following primary uterine rupture in a large contemporary obstetric cohort and to compare outcomes between those with primary uterine rupture vs those with uterine rupture of a scarred uterus.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective case-control study. Cases were defined as women with uterine rupture of an unscarred uterus. Controls were women with uterine rupture of a scarred uterus. Demographics, labor characteristics, and obstetric, maternal, and neonatal outcomes were compared. Primary rupture case outcomes were also compared by mode of delivery.

RESULTS

There were 126 controls and 20 primary uterine rupture cases. Primary uterine rupture cases had more previous live births than controls (3.6 vs 1.9; P < .001). Cases were more likely to have received oxytocin augmentation (80% vs 37%; P < .001). Vaginal delivery was more common among cases (45% vs 9%; P < .001). Composite maternal morbidity was higher among primary uterine rupture mothers (65% vs 20%; P < .001). Cases had a higher mean estimated blood loss (2644 vs 981 mL; P < .001) and higher rate of blood transfusion (68% vs 17%; P < .001). Women with primary uterine rupture were more likely to undergo hysterectomy (35% vs 2.4%; P < .001). Rates of major composite adverse neonatal neurologic outcomes including intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, seizures, and death were higher in cases (40% vs 12%; P = .001). Primary uterine rupture cases delivering vaginally were more likely to ultimately undergo hysterectomy than those delivering by cesarean (63% vs 9%; P = .017).

CONCLUSION

Although rare, primary uterine rupture is particularly morbid. Clinicians must remain vigilant, particularly in the setting of heavy vaginal bleeding and severe pain.

Postpartum diagnosis of a spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus with expulsion of omentum vaginally

Spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus is an obstetrical emergency. Its diagnosis is often concealed, leading to maternal and foetal mortality. Many risk factors and clinical presentations have been identified. In this case report, we describe postpartum diagnosed uterine rupture in a multigravid woman with a very rare presentation of vaginal omental expression and discuss appropriate management of this presentation.

First trimester spontaneous uterine rupture in a young woman with uterine anomaly

Spontaneous uterine rupture is a life-threatening obstetrical emergency carrying a high risk for the mother and the fetus. Spontaneous uterine rupture in early pregnancy is very rare complication and it occurs usually in scarred uterus. Uterine anomalies are one of the reasons for spontaneous unscarred uterine rupture in early pregnancy. Obstetricians must consider this diagnosis when a pregnant patient presented with acute abdomen in early pregnancy. We present a case of spontaneous uterine rupture at 12 weeks of gestation in 24-year-old multigravida who had uterine anomaly presenting as an acute abdomen. Our preoperative diagnosis was ectopic pregnancy. Emergency laparotomy confirmed a spontaneous uterine rupture. Uterine anomaly is a risk factor for spontaneous uterine rupture in the early pregnancy. Clinical signs of uterine rupture in early pregnancy are nonspecific and must be distinguished from acute abdominal emergencies.