Rupture of a primigravid uterus following a domestic accident

Abstract

Background: Uterine rupture is an infrequent but life threatening obstetric emergency especially in a developing country such as Nigeria. Often encountered is the rupture of previously scarred uterus especially in multiparous women, but the traumatic rupture of an unscarred primigravid uterus as presented here is a relatively rare event.

Aim: To report a case of rupture of an unscarred uterus in a primigravidae due to blunt abdominal trauma.

Design: Case report.

Case report: We present a primigravidae with no previous uterine surgery who had uterine rupture following trauma from a fall at 38 weeks of pregnancy. She was resuscitated with intravenous fluids and blood transfusion. The uterine rupture was repaired without tubal ligation.

Conclusion: Rupture of an unscarred uterus in a primigravidae although uncommon can occur. Blunt trauma to the abdomen from a fall can be an aetiological factor.

Keywords: Domestic accident, Uterine rupture, Trauma, Primigravida