Abstract

Couvelaire uterus is a rare but nonfatal complication of severe forms of abruption placentae. A diagnosis of this condition can only be made by direct visualization or biopsy. Its incidence is difficult to define. The subject of this report is a 32 years old pregnant woman G1, who had a placental abruption, bleeding per vagina and stillbirth and whose uteroplacental apoplexy was diagnosed at the time of the Caesarean Section (CS). Several hours after the CS, during which patient’s condition worsened, an emergency hysterectomy was performed, because of persistent uterine bleeding and hemoperitoneum associated with hypofibrinogenemia.

Keywords: Couvelaire; Abruption placentae; Uteroplacental apoplexy; Retrouterine hematoma; Disseminated intravascular coagulation; Hysterectomy