[Spontaneous uterine perforation secondary to pyometra: a report of three cases]

We performed a retrospective observational review-based study of the medical records of consecutive women with diagnosis of spontaneous uterine perforation, between 1995 and 2003. During this period 3 patients with an average age of 76.2 years and with acute abdominal pain attended to the emergency department. Physical examination revealed signs of peritoneal irritation, as a result emergency laparotomy was performed, where uterine perforation was not found in the preoperative diagnosis. All patients had purulent fluid in the abdominal cavity and uterine perforation. A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooophorectomy was carried out under the diagnosis of generalized peritonitis caused by spontaneous perforation of pyometra. They also required cavity lavage, drainages placement, and antibiotics. Histological examination revealed uterine perforation and pyometra without evidence of malignancy. Prognosis was good and they were discharged on postoperative day 8.5 without complications. Spontaneous uterine perforation, secondary to pyometra, should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in postmenopausal patients, still without gynecological signs.