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Instrumentation of Near-term Fetal Sheep for Multivariate Chronic Non-anesthetized Recordings
Published on: October 25, 2015
[Intra-uterine fetal death by knife: case report].
1Services des urgences chirurgicales viscérales, CHU d'Ibn-Rochd, Casablanca, Maroc.
Journal De Gynecologie, Obstetrique Et Biologie De La Reproduction
|November 18, 2008
Summary
Knife injuries during pregnancy are rare but dangerous, often leading to fetal death. Early intervention and multidisciplinary surgical collaboration are crucial for managing these critical obstetric emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Trauma Surgery
- Vascular Surgery
Background:
- Penetrating abdominal trauma in pregnant individuals is infrequent.
- Knife injuries pose a significant risk of fetal mortality, particularly in late pregnancy.
Observation:
- A case report details a 27-year-old pregnant woman in her third trimester sustaining three stab wounds to the right iliac fossa.
- Emergency laparotomy revealed uterine and vascular pedicle injuries, along with a right external iliac artery lesion.
- The fetus, found deceased, had sustained two penetrating wounds to the skull and back.
Findings:
- Deep uterine and vascular pedicle wounds can lead to maternal hemorrhagic shock.
- Fetal demise is common due to the fetus's abdominal positioning and the uterus's rich vascularization during pregnancy.
Implications:
- Prompt surgical management is essential for pregnant patients with penetrating abdominal trauma.
- Close collaboration among trauma surgeons, obstetricians, and vascular surgeons is vital for optimal outcomes.
- These injuries highlight the vulnerability of the fetus to penetrating trauma in late gestation.
