[Spontaneous rupture of the spleen during anticoagulant therapy]

Three cases of spontaneous rupture of the spleen in patients which were on long-term anticoagulant therapy are reported. In patients with the trias faulty coagulation, signs of hemorrhagic shock and of peritonitis in the upper abdominal part the possibility of a spontaneous rupture of the spleen must be considered. The diagnosis can then be confirmed by a positive peritoneal lavage. Once the diagnosis is made, the therapy is splenectomy.