Journal of Surgical Education
Volume 66, Issue 3 , Pages 163-167, May 2009

Diagnosis and Surgical Management of Spontaneous Hepatic Rupture Associated with HELLP Syndrome

  • Theodoros Pavlis, MD

      Affiliations

    • Intensive Care Unit, “Mitera” Hospital of Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Stavros Aloizos, MD

      Affiliations

    • Intensive Care Unit, “Mitera” Hospital of Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Paraskevi Aravosita, MD

      Affiliations

    • Intensive Care Unit, “Mitera” Hospital of Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Christina Mystakelli, MD

      Affiliations

    • Intensive Care Unit, “Mitera” Hospital of Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Dimitra Petrochilou, MD

      Affiliations

    • Second Surgical Department, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Nikitas Dimopoulos, MD

      Affiliations

    • Second Surgical Department, Athens, Greece
    • ,
  • Stavros Gourgiotis, MD

      Affiliations

    • Second Surgical Department, Athens, Greece
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorrespondence: Inquiries to Stavros Gourgiotis, MD, PhD, 41 Zakinthinou Street, 15669 Papagou, Athens, Greece; fax: 00 30 21 06 52 5802

Spontaneous hepatic rupture with hemoperitoneum is an uncommon but devastating complication of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Although the syndrome has been considered a variant of preeclampsia/eclampsia, its pathogenesis is not completely understood. Hepatic rupture increases the perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. This report describes 3 cases of extensive spontaneous hepatic rupture in pregnant women with HELLP syndrome. Early diagnosis and adequate tertiary management of this rare but life-threatening condition reduce the high maternal and newborn mortality.

Competency: Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism

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PII: S1931-7204(09)00061-0

doi:10.1016/j.jsurg.2009.04.001

Journal of Surgical Education
Volume 66, Issue 3 , Pages 163-167, May 2009

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