Unusual pregnancy-related vascular emergency

Although rare, aneurysms are well-known pregnancy-related vascular diseases. They are influenced by hormonal, mechanical, and genetic factors and may be associated with high incidence of maternal and fetal mortality. We present a case of a pregnancy-related common iliac aneurysm, ruptured 5 days after delivery. The source of bleeding was recognized during the second emergency laparotomy for hemoperitoneum and retroperitoneal hematoma. The treatment consisted of excision and substitution of the common iliac artery (totally involved) by an autologous saphenous vein graft. The outcome for the patient was good. We underline that the only way to avoid a fatal event is to know and to think about this rare but very important complication that may occur during pregnancy or shortly after delivery.