Background Gastric
rupture is a rare, life-threatening condition during pregnancy. Case study We present three cases of gastric perforation during pregnancy and the puerperium. The first patient presented with gastric perforation 4 days following an uncomplicated cesarean delivery for obstetric indications. She initially complained of epigastric
pain; however, those symptoms resolved. She later demonstrated worsening abdominal distension, intra-abdominal free fluid, and signs of
peritonitis. At
laparotomy, an
ascariasis-associated
gastric rupture was diagnosed. She died from
sepsis 4 days following the
laparotomy. The second patient presented 19 days following a normal vaginal delivery. She presented with hemodynamic instability and underwent emergent
laparotomy due to suspected
septic shock peritonitis.
Gastric rupture was diagnosed intraoperatively. She improved clinically and was discharged home. The third patient underwent emergency cesarean delivery due to non-reassuring fetal status in the setting of
preeclampsia. She was initially diagnosed with
ascites and
pulmonary edema as a result of
preeclampsia. Later in her course, she developed features in favor of
acute abdomen and signs of
sepsis. At the time of emergent
laparotomy, a
gastric rupture was identified and repaired. She died 2 days later from
sepsis. Conclusion We report the management and outcome of three cases of pregnancy-related
gastric rupture. To our knowledge, these three cases represent the largest series of pregnancy-related
gastric ruptures from a single institution.