Hemoperitoneum from omental variceal bleed resulting in first documented successful liver transplant: A case report

While varices and variceal bleeds are well-known and feared complications of advanced cirrhosis and portal hypertension, omental variceal bleed are a rare sequala even in patients with known esophageal or gastric varices. While rare, omental varices pose a risk for hemoperitoneum if ruptured, which is a life-threatening complication with high mortality rates despite surgical intervention.

This report reviews the case of a patient 36-year-old female with alcohol related cirrhosis decompensated by ascites, but no history of varices admitted for hemorrhagic shock from spontaneous rupture of omental varices requiring emergency surgery. She underwent the first documented successful orthotopic liver transplantation the same admission.

This case report and literature review stresses the importance of early consideration and identification of intraabdominal variceal sources in cirrhotic patients with refractory shock.