RUPTURE OF SPLENIC ARTERY ANEURYSM DURING THE 1ST 3 MONTHS OF PREGNANCY

A rare but dramatic case of haemoperitoneum of non-gynaecological orig in which occurred during pregnancy is reported. Obstetrical causes of shock having been excluded, laparotomy made it possible to discover an aneurysm of the spenic artery and treat it by resection-ligation and splenectomy. In such cases, the uterus is spared before the 6th month of pregnancy, and beyond that date caesarean section is mandatory. The pathogenesis of such arterial ruptures during pregnancy is unknown. T he abrupt collapse accounts for the high maternal and foetal mortality . Prevention can only be archieved by surgical treatment of all uncomp licated aneurysm of the splenic artery in young women.