A case of spontaneous rupture of a uterine superficial varicose vein in midgestation

A 25-year-old gravida two, nulliparous pregnant woman complained of a sudden onset of severe pain in the right lateral abdominal area and went to hospital at 28 weeks and 5 days' gestation. Since cyclic uterine contractions were observed, a diagnosis of preterm labor was made and tocolysis was carried out by the continuous venous infusion of ritodorine. She was transferred to Hamamatsu University Hospital and an emergency cesarean section was carried out due to non-reassuring fetal status. A hemoperitoneum of 850 mL was observed in the peritoneal cavity and an immature male baby weighing 1140 g was born. There was bleeding from a ruptured superficial varicose vein in the right lateral portion of the uterus, which was stopped by compression and the attachment of oxidized cellulose cotton. The clinical management and differential diagnosis were discussed.