Abdominal pregnancy secondary to iatrogenic uterine perforation: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening form of ectopic pregnancy. It is defined as an ectopic pregnancy in a region of the peritoneal cavity that does not include the fallopian tubes, ovaries, or their associated ligamentous structures. Many abdominal pregnancies are caused by secondary implantation in the peritoneal cavity after tubal abortion, rupture, or uterine rupture. Here, we report a case of abdominal pregnancy resulting from iatrogenic uterine perforation during the induced abortion of an early intrauterine pregnancy, which had been misdiagnosed as a ruptured corpus luteum cyst due to the sudden rupture of the abdominal gestational sac, complicating intra-abdominal hemorrhage. The true diagnosis was missed by vaginal ultrasound and confirmed by laparoscopic exploration. We discuss the details of the case management and review the relevant literature.

Keywords

• Abdominal pregnancy
• Uterine perforation
• Transvaginal ultrasound
• Laparoscopy