Uterine rupture in pregnancy: two case reports and review of literature

Rupture of a gravid uterus is an obstetric emergency. Risks factors include a scarred uterus but also spontaneous rupture of an unscarred uterus during pregnancy is possible. The authors present two cases of a spontaneous complete uterine rupture during pregnancy. The first case had only a past history of dilatation and curettage for abortion; the second case had a past history of dilatation and curettage for abortion and a monolateral laparoscopic salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy. They presented with abdominal pain and after ultrasound scan, uterine ruptures were diagnosed. These cases show that there should be a high index of suspicious of uterine rupture in a gravid woman with a history of curettage for the possible presence of misunderstood uterine scar and in women with a past history of salpingectomy with or without corneal resection. Appropriate counseling and close follow-up might help to avoid such obstetrical catastrophes. To provide more insight into the possible risk factors for prelabor uterine rupture in pregnancy, a literature review was performed.