Right hepatectomy after spontaneous hepatic rupture in a patient with preeclampsia: A case report

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Spontaneous hepatic rupture associated with preecalmpsia or HELLP syndrome is a rare and life threatining event, only 200 cases have been reported in the literature. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present a case of a 31 year old female with 28 weeks of gestation that presented with acute abdominal pain, elevated blood pressure and altered liver enzymes an abdominal ultrasound that showed a subcapsular hematoma occupying the whole right lobe and free abdominal fluid, she required emergent laparotomy, C-section, hepatic packing, followed by angioembolization and finally right hepatectomy. DISCUSSION AND CONSLUSION: Spontaneous hepatic rupture due to preeclampsia or HELLP syndrome is a medical emergency, it requires a prompt and decisive treatment. Multiple treatment modalities are available, from simple hepatic packing to endovascular embolization, but in extreme situations a formal hepatectomy might be required.