Rupture of the preterm uterus in the nonlaboring woman: A report of 3 cases

Background: Uterine rupture in a laboring patient is a well-known pregnancy complication. There is a paucity of information regarding uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age in a nonlaboring patient. Case: Three women experienced spontaneous uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age prior to the onset of labor. All women presented with a primary complaint of abdominal pain that was nonfocal and had been noted over hours to days. In no case was a common risk factor for uterine rupture present. On initial evaluation, no woman appeared hemodynamically unstable, and all fetuses had a reassuring status. In all cases, rapid deterioration of maternal and/or fetal status resulted in emergency delivery. Conclusion: Uterine rupture at a preterm gestational age in a nonlaboring woman may present with nonspecific findings and be associated with rapid maternal and fetal decompensation. Awareness of this complication is necessary if maternal and fetal outcomes are to be optimized.