[Intrafascial hematoma of the rectus abdominis muscle as a complication after laparoscopic operations]

We report on two patients with intrafascial hematoma of the musculus rectus abdominis following laparoscopic operations. One patient was operated on a stenosis of the common iliac artery for an aortofemoral bypass. The other patient was operated on an inguinal hernia. Only a CT scan of the abdomen led to the correct diagnosis, because the use of ultrasound was limited by pneumoperitoneum and bandages, and retroperitoneal bleeding could not be recognized. Computed tomography is a valid method for detecting this complication of laparoscopic surgery.