title: Spontaneous Rectus Sheath Hematoma: an Overview of 4-Year Single Center Experience.
abstract: Rectus sheath hematoma is a clinical entity characterized by the presence of blood within rectus abdominis muscle sheath. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical characteristics, diagnostic approach, treatment strategy, and outcomes of patients with rectus sheath hematoma. Patients diagnosed and treated for spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma between March 2010 and March 2014 were included in the study. A total of 10 patients were diagnosed as spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma. The mean age was 66.5 ± 16.9 years, and the mean hospital stay was 4.4 ± 1.8 days. There was no mortality. Six patients were using anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents. Eight patients recovered after conservative treatment. Two patients underwent surgery. Spontaneous rectus sheath hematoma is associated with anticoagulant therapy. Cases with abdominal pain and a non-pulsatile abdominal mass particularly in elderly women should be kept in mind. Treatment is mostly based on supportive care to preserve hemodynamic stability.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Okan Murat
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Aktürk
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selami Ilgaz
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Kayılıoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: İhsan
authors.initials: İ
authors.lastname: Aydoğan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Tolga
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dinç
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Baris
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yildiz
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mükerrem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cete
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Ankara Numune Teaching Hospital, Sihhiye, 06100 Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Erdoğan
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, Corum Research and Training Hospital, Hitit University School of Medicine, Corum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Faruk
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coşkun
keywords: Conservative approach; Hematoma; Rectus sheath; Surgery