Diagnostic evaluation and management of patients with rectus sheath hematoma. A retrospective study.
BACKGROUND
Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon cause of acute abdominal pain. It may mimic a wide variety of intraabdominal disorders thus frequently leading to delay in treatment, increased morbidity or even in an unnecessary surgery.


METHODS
This is a retrospective study of 10 patients with RSH who were treated in our department over a five-year period. There were 6 (60%) men and 4 (40%) women ranging in age from 38 to 86 years, with a mean age of 57.1 years.


RESULTS
The most common clinical presentation was a palpable abdominal mass associated with abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) established the diagnosis in 100% of the cases. 4 patients had type I hematoma, 3 had type II hematoma and 3 had type III hematoma. Anticoagulation therapy was the most common predisposing factor. Conservative treatment was effective in 90% of the cases and in all cases of spontaneous RSHs in patients under anticoagulation therapy. One patient, who developed a very severe RSH following an abdominal injection of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), underwent surgery. All patients with type III hematoma required blood transfusion.


CONCLUSIONS
RSH should be considered in the differential diagnosis of the elderly patients under anticoagulation therapy presenting with acute abdominal pain and a palpable mass. CT is the diagnostic modality of choice. Conservative treatment is feasible in most cases. Early diagnosis is mandatory in order to avoid morbidity or unnecessary surgery. In order to prevent a traumatic RSH, trocar insertion under direct vision during laparoscopic surgery and careful attention in the abdominal administration of LMWH are essential.
2nd Department of Surgery, Army General Hospital, Athens, Greece. reza.arsalani@hotmail.co.uk
Nikolaos S
NS
Salemis
Stavros
S
Gourgiotis
Georgios
G
Karalis
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015331:Cohort Studies; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017568:Rectus Abdominis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome