Abdominal pregnancy is a rare event and is classified as either primary or secondary, with the latter being more common. Secondary abdominal pregnancies usually develop as a result of a tubal abortion, tubal rupture, or uterine rupture with intra-abdominal implantation. [1]

A 40-year-old gravida IV, para III woman was referred to us in the 29th week of gestation with a complaint of a two-week-long abdominal pain and weakness. The accompanying symptoms were vertigo and loss of appetite. There were signs of anemia. Her vital signs were stable. She had lost 3 kg in two weeks. Pregnancy had been confirmed three months earlier through serum hCG measurement followed by ultrasound examination showing a normal 14-week pregnancy with antero fundal placenta. She reported no remarkable medical and surgical history and claimed that her early pregnancy was uneventful.

Physical examination upon admission revealed an abdominal mass rising from the pelvis without tenderness, rebound, and guarding. Laboratory results showed hemoglobin level 7.7 g/dL and a hematocrit value 25.7. Other examinations, including BUN, Cr, serum electrolytes, coagulation, and liver function tests, showed were normal. Gestational age was 29 weeks +4 days according to 14 weeks sonogram. However, ultrasonographic scan confirmed a breech-lying 26 weeks +2 days normal fetus out of the uterus with oligohydramnios and a vague heterogeneous 157×79 mm mass in the left lower quadrant with some free fluid in the abdominal cavity. The uterus was empty and normally placed. The MRI scan confirmed the diagnosis. (Figure 1)

After the diagnosis was explained to the patient and her family, they revealed a history of an unsuccessful attempt to induce abortion with the help of a home midwife. This attempt caused severe illness, paleness and crampy abdominal pain, which wore off after two weeks. Despite severe illness, she had not visited any physician because of fear of prosecution.

The patient was given four units of packed cell which increased her hemoglobin to 11.7 g/dL. She underwent bowel preparation prior to the surgery. Accessibility of sufficient blood products was confirmed. A team consisting of two obstetricians/gynecologists, a general surgeon, a vascular surgeon and an anesthesiologist prepared for laparotomy under general anesthesia. The parietal peritoneum was opened through a midline incision. The amniotic sac was surrounded by intestinal loops. The baby was delivered. She had no dysmorphic features and weighed 800 g with an Apgar score of 4–0 at 1–20 minutes. The amniotic membranes were loosely clinging to the loops of jejunum and ileum and were easily dissected away. The uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries were normal. The placenta was implanted behind the uterus, on the left broad ligament and the cul-de-sac. There was a thin fibrotic scar measuring 3×2 cm behind the uterus near the edge of the placenta and was only covered by uterine serosa. Attempting to remove the placenta resulted in a brisk bleeding, but it was controlled by packing and suturing. The fallopian tubes were ligated, and the uterus was repaired. The patient was transfused with two units of packed cell during operation. No complications were observed after the surgery. The patient was discharged after six days in good health.

This case revealed the presence of little free fluid and a uterine scar with normal fallopian tubes. These findings when considered against backdrop of an unsuccessful induced abortion and severe illness are highly suggestive of a uterine rupture resulting in secondary implantation on the broad ligament.

In a review of available literature, we found only a few cases of secondary abdominal pregnancy resulting from uterine rupture. Teng et al. (2007) reported a secondary abdominal pregnancy following rupture of a uterine scar after two cesarean sections. [2] They claimed that their report was the first case of an early scar rupture resulting in a viable intra-abdominal pregnancy. Amritha et al. reported a viable secondary abdominal pregnancy following rupture of a rudimentary horn. [3] We can assume that our case is the first report of secondary abdominal pregnancy as a complication of an induced abortion.

Abdominal pregnancy causes relatively few symptoms, none of which are individually diagnostic. [4] Once she recovered from the acute symptoms of uterine damage, our patient was relatively asymptomatic in the rest of her pregnancy. Thus, a high index of suspicion is warranted for diagnosing abdominal pregnancy. [3] Ultrasonography is the main method for diagnosis, [5] [6] but it fails to diagnose in half of the cases. [4] [5] The 29th-week sonogram of our patient revealed an abdominal pregnancy with the following findings: separation of the uterus from the fetus, extrauterine placenta, oligohydramnios, abnormal lie of the fetus, some free peritoneal fluid and poor visualization of the placenta.

An MRI scan confirmed all the sonographic findings. Thus, it can be a useful adjunct to the ultrasound and may help identifying the spread of placental implantation. It seems wise to administer both tests to obtain maximal information for surgical planning. [3] [4]

We chose to terminate the pregnancy upon diagnosis because a review of previous case reports showed that employing expectant management in the hope of fetal maturity involves a substantial risk of life-threatening hemorrhage. [4] [5]

Fortunately, it was possible to separate the whole placenta intra-operatively. Placental management is a highly controversial issue. Retention of the placenta poses substantial risks. Most authors agree that the placenta should be removed provided its blood supply is identified and can be ligated without damaging other organs. [3] [5]

Completely removal of the placenta made postoperative methotrexate administration unnecessary. Indeed, postoperative use of methotrexate is controversial in the case of the placenta left in place. [4]

Abdominal pregnancy is a rare condition and diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. In the countries where abortion is illegal, patients with a low socioeconomic status are prone to the dangerous consequences of secret attempts to induce abortion. So it is imperative that every primary health care provider closely observe the patients with unwanted pregnancy and provide special follow-up care. Prompt treatment upon discovery of the condition is essential. In managing abdominal pregnancy, maternal morbidity and mortality can be significantly reduced through preoperative diagnosis and evaluation, sufficient blood supply, bowel preparation, availability of a multidisciplinary surgical team and proper operative techniques.

Thanks Mr Mahmood Soleimani for his helpful commends in writing the case report.

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