Intra-abdominal pregnancy complicated
by uterine rupture: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Intra-abdominal pregnancy complicated
by uterine rupture: a case report
by uterine rupture: a case report
Subject
Intra-abdominal pregnancy, Uterine rupture, Ectopic pregnancy, Advanced gestation, Emergency
laparotomy, Maternal outcome, Uganda
laparotomy, Maternal outcome, Uganda
Description
Abstract
Background Intra-abdominal pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening form of ectopic gestation that poses
significant diagnostic and management challenges, particularly in low-resource settings. Its occurrence alongside
uterine rupture further increases maternal risk.
Case presentation We report the case of a 22-year-old gravida 4, para 1+2 Ugandan woman at 28 weeks+3 days
of gestation who presented with lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She had not attended antenatal care or
undergone prior imaging. On examination, fetal heart sounds were absent, and the uterus was tender with smaller-
than-expected fundal height. A provisional diagnosis of intra-abdominal pregnancy with possible uterine rupture
was made. Emergency laparotomy revealed a ruptured uterine fundus with an intact gestational sac containing a
macerated stillborn male fetus weighing 1.2 kg. The necrotic tissue was excised, and the uterine defect was repaired
in layers. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.
Conclusion This case highlights the critical need for early antenatal attendance, access to basic obstetric ultrasound,
and timely referral to avert complications associated with advanced extra-uterine pregnancies and uterine rupture.
Strengthening maternal health systems and clinical suspicion remains vital to improving outcomes in similar low-
resource settings.
Keywords Intra-abdominal pregnancy, Uterine rupture, Ectopic pregnancy, Advanced gestation, Emergency
laparotomy, Maternal outcome, Uganda
Background Intra-abdominal pregnancy is a rare and life-threatening form of ectopic gestation that poses
significant diagnostic and management challenges, particularly in low-resource settings. Its occurrence alongside
uterine rupture further increases maternal risk.
Case presentation We report the case of a 22-year-old gravida 4, para 1+2 Ugandan woman at 28 weeks+3 days
of gestation who presented with lower abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She had not attended antenatal care or
undergone prior imaging. On examination, fetal heart sounds were absent, and the uterus was tender with smaller-
than-expected fundal height. A provisional diagnosis of intra-abdominal pregnancy with possible uterine rupture
was made. Emergency laparotomy revealed a ruptured uterine fundus with an intact gestational sac containing a
macerated stillborn male fetus weighing 1.2 kg. The necrotic tissue was excised, and the uterine defect was repaired
in layers. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged in stable condition.
Conclusion This case highlights the critical need for early antenatal attendance, access to basic obstetric ultrasound,
and timely referral to avert complications associated with advanced extra-uterine pregnancies and uterine rupture.
Strengthening maternal health systems and clinical suspicion remains vital to improving outcomes in similar low-
resource settings.
Keywords Intra-abdominal pregnancy, Uterine rupture, Ectopic pregnancy, Advanced gestation, Emergency
laparotomy, Maternal outcome, Uganda
Creator
Hassan Nur Mohamud1*, Mohamed Jayte2
, Iqra Abdullahi Mohamed1
, Inzama Wilfred1
,
Abdullahi Mohamed Hussein1
and Okelo James1
, Iqra Abdullahi Mohamed1
, Inzama Wilfred1
,
Abdullahi Mohamed Hussein1
and Okelo James1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-01081-1
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
PDF
Language
ENGLISH
Type
TEXT
Files
Collection
Citation
Hassan Nur Mohamud1*, Mohamed Jayte2
, Iqra Abdullahi Mohamed1
, Inzama Wilfred1
,
Abdullahi Mohamed Hussein1
and Okelo James1, “Intra-abdominal pregnancy complicated
by uterine rupture: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12922.
by uterine rupture: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 11, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12922.