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Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(5): 241-246
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-33083
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Unusual Pregnancy-Related Vascular Emergency

Giuseppe Cardia1 , Domenico Iusco1 , Rocco Melino2 , Vincenzo Neri2 , Michele Nacchiero1
  • 1Dipartimento per l'Applicazione in Chirurgia delle Tecniche Innovative, Cattedra di Chirurgia Generale III, Università degli Studi Bari, Capurso (Bari), Italy and
  • 2Chirurgia Generale Universitaria, Università degli Studi Foggia, Foggia, Italy
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Publication Date:
09 August 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Although rare, aneurysms are well-known pregnancy-related vascular diseases. They are influenced by hormonal, mechanical, and genetic factors and may be associated with high incidence of maternal and fetal mortality. We present a case of a pregnancy-related common iliac aneurysm, ruptured 5 days after delivery. The source of bleeding was recognized during the second emergency laparotomy for hemoperitoneum and retroperitoneal hematoma. The treatment consisted of excision and substitution of the common iliac artery (totally involved) by an autologous saphenous vein graft. The outcome for the patient was good. We underline that the only way to avoid a fatal event is to know and to think about this rare but very important complication that may occur during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.

KEYWORDS

Aneurysm - pregnancy complication - retroperitoneum