Postpartum uterine wound dehiscence: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Late postpartum hemorrhage following a Caesarean section (CS) is uncommon. A partial or complete dehiscence of the lower segment CS incision is a rare but possible cause.

Case: A 33-year-old woman underwent a lower segment CS for chorioamnionitis and failure to progress in labour at 40 weeks and 5 days of gestation. On the 43rd postpartum day, she developed heavy vaginal bleeding. Emergency laparotomy revealed a complete dehiscence of the lower uterine segment incision. A subtotal hysterectomy was performed to control the bleeding, and the postoperative course was uneventful.

Conclusion: Dehiscence of a lower uterine segment incision is a rare but potentially dangerous cause of late postpartum hemorrhage.