Spontaneous Uterine Perforation Due to Pyometra Presenting as Acute Abdomen

Abstract

Spontaneous perforation of uterus is rare, its incidence being about 0.01%-0.5%. We report a rare case of diffuse peritonitis and pneumoperitoneum caused by spontaneously perforated pyometra. A 50-year postmenopausal lady with abdominal pain was admitted to our hospital. Laparotomy was performed because of the suspicion of gastrointestinal perforation with generalized peritonitis. At laparotomy about 1,500ml of pus present in peritoneal cavity and whole of alimentary tract and gallbladder were normal.A total abdominal hysterectomy with bilateral salpingooopherectomy was performed. Histopathological study revealed chronic suppurative endometritis with myometritis of the uterus with no evidence of malignancy. Although spontaneously perforated pyometra is rare, a perforated pyometra should therefore be considered when elderly female presents with acute abdomen.