Spontaneous Rupture of Pyometra – A Rare Cause of Peritonitis In Elderly Female

Abstract

The incidence of spontaneous perforations in pyometra is rare, being 0.01-0.5% in gynaecological patients. However, they are more common in postmenopausal females and their incidence is 13.6%. Here, we are reporting a rare case of peritonitis with a pneumoperitoneum in an elderly female, which was caused by a spontaneous perforation of pyometra. A 74-years old postmenopausal female with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus was admitted to surgical emergency with signs of diffuse peritonitis and she was in shock. After resuscitation, an emergency laparotomy was performed because of suspicion of a hollow viscous perforation with peritonitis. At laparotomy, about 2000ml of purulent fluid was found to be present in peritoneal cavity, while alimentary tract was intact. A rent with a diameter of 0.8 cm was found on fundus of uterus. A total abdominal hysterectomy with a bilateral salphingo oophorectomy was performed. Patient got discharged on 12th post-operative day without major complications. Histopathological studies revealed endometritis and myometritis, with no evidence of malignancy.

Keywords

• pyometra
• pneumoperitoneum
• uterine perforation