Splenic rupture associated with severe preeclampsia - A case report

BACKGROUND: Splenic rupture is a very rare event complicating pregnancy. Ap proximately 5% of cases reported have involved the postpartum period. Unrec ognized, this complication is universally fatal. CASE: Preeclampsia and pulmonary edema complicated a 42-year-old woman's in trapartum care. After cesarean delivery she was supported with mechanical v entilation, blood products and invasive monitoring. Shortly thereafter, she became hypotensive and developed disseminated intravascular coagulation, D uring exploratory laparotomy a splenic capsular rupture was identified. Spl enectomy and continued intensive care support ultimately reversed the sever e end-organ consequences. CONCLUSION: It is extremely important that this condition? be maintained in the diagnostic differential of postoperative hemodynamic instability. Fail ure to identify is invariably fatal. Awareness and intervention are essenti al to ensure a good outcome.