[Spontaneous splenic rupture as a cause of postoperative hemorrhage]

Following a vaginal hysterectomy without complications, intraperitoneal after bleeding from an adnexal stump occurred, making a laparotomy necessary. On the following day a second laparotomy had to be performed because of a recurrence of hemorrhage in the abdominal cavity. The source of the bleeding could not be found. A third laparotomy the next day revealed a splenic rupture, which had evidently occurred spontaneously. Spontaneous ruptures of a normal spleen are considered rare. In cases of intraperitoneal hemorrhage where the source of bleeding cannot be found, the possibility of splenic rupture should be considered, even if there is no history of trauma.