Spontaneous rupture of utero-ovarian vessels in pregnancy.

Spontaneous rupture of utero-ovarian vessels in pregnancy is rare and usually involves utero-ovarian veins. Presenting symptoms include acute-onset abdominal pain and maternal hypovolemic shock secondary to haemoperitoneum. Although this condition had been documented over a century ago, an accurate diagnosis is rarely reached prior to laparotomy due to a multitude of other surgical and obstetrical presentations that may pose a similar clinical picture. In such an event an emergency exploratory laparotomy followed by caesarean section with ligation of the uterine vessels can help in preventing a maternal mortality.