Spontaneous Rupture of Venae Gastricae Breves in Pregnancy: Case Report

INTRODUCTION: Hemiperitoneum caused by venous bleeding from the hilum of the spleen is a rare cause of acute abdomen in the last trimester of pregnancy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We are presenting a case of a twenty-nine-year-old primipara with the clinical picture of acute abdomen. CASE REPORT: Primipara in the 36th week of pregnancy presented with the clinical picture of acute abdomen with the ultrasound finding of free fluid in the abdominal cavity and foetal bradycardia. Considering the clinical picture of the mother and the risks for the foetus, it was decided to complete the pregnancy with an emergency caesarean section. During the procedure, exploration of the abdominal cavity found the bleeding site from the venae gastricae breves, and a surgeon stopped active bleeding. CONCLUSION: Non-obstetric bleedings are not common in pregnancy, but they are life-threatening both to the mother and the foetus. The exact cause is usually found during the surgical procedure. If a pregnant woman presents with a clinical picture of abdominal pain, and the signs of foetal distress or clinical instability of the mother are also present, an emergency surgical procedure is indicated. In this case, the indication was foetal bradycardia, and the child was born alive by a caesarean section, while an extended surgical procedure saved the mother’s life.