administration, and use of prostaglandin analogues
(misoprostol). Primigravid uterine rupture
following external cephalic version (ECV), has also
been reported.
Classically, complete uterine rupture presents with
sudden-onset abdominal pain, cessation of
contractions, signs of hypovolemia, and fetal
compromise. However, it is rare that all these
features are evident. Therefore, it is important to
maintain a high index of suspicion for uterine rupture
in women presenting with some, or all, of these
features, regardless of parity. A low index of
suspicion for primigravid rupture will lead to
delayed interval to surgical intervention, especially
if the diagnosis is not initially considered. It has been
suggested that rupture of an unscarred uterus is a
more catastrophic event than rupture through a
previous scar, as the area of rupture is more vascular.
A number of conditions can present with abdominal
pain, hypovolemia, and fetal compromise in the
primigravid woman. Most commonly, this
constellation of findings occurs with placental
abruption, which may be concealed in the absence of
vaginal bleeding. Other less common conditions to
be considered include subcapsular liver hematoma
with or without rupture, rupture of the broad
ligament, splenic rupture, uterine torsion and
uterine vein rupture. All these conditions will
require surgical intervention, and swift recourse to
laparotomy is generally indicated for a patient
presenting with these symptoms.
Uterine repair without bilateral tubal ligation was
done for this patient because of her parity, the simple
nature of the tear and the fact that she was
haemodynamically stable. Moreover, in view of the
high premium placed on child-bearing and the high
infant mortality in most developing countries, a case
could be made for conservation of her child-bearing
capacity. She was however counseled on the
necessity for antenatal care and elective caesarean
section in her next pregnancy. Prevention of this
disaster requires utilization of standard antenatal and
delivery care services, careful labour monitoring by
trained birth attendants to facilitate an early
diagnosis of abnormal progress in labour and
referral, judicious control of oxytocin infusion rates
and avoidance of difficult manipulative vaginal
deliveries.