Two Cases of Rectus Sheath Hematoma after Cesarean Delivery

Kim, Jong In; Cho, Sang Min

Abstract

Rectus sheath hematoma is an uncommon entity of the anterior abdominal wall and an unusual cause of painful abdominal mass. Rectus sheath hematoma have been in association with trauma, infections, debilitating disease, collagen vascular disease, pregnancy. and the puerperium. Sudden disruption of a deep epigastric vessel may result in an abdominal wall hematoma, which depending upon its location and size, can produce symptoms and clinical findings compatible with a variety of acute intra-abdominal conditions. Such hematoma are infrequently encountered and early accurate diagnosis could prevent surgical intervention. Unfortunately, the clinical manifestations of rectus muscle hematoma are sometimes so dramatic that laparotomy is performed under the belief that intra-abdominal pathology is present. The diagnosis was confirmed at surgery in both patient. We present two cases of rectus sheath hematoma which were diagnosed by clinical & ultrasound examination preoperatively.