Journal of Trauma and Injury

The Korean Society of Traumatology (대한외상학회)
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Treatment of placental abruption following blunt abdominal trauma: a case report

  • Jinjoo Kim (Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Seokyung Kim (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Dongwook Kwak (Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ajou University School of Medicine) ;
  • Donghwan Choi (Division of Trauma Surgery, Department of Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine)
  • Received : 2024.07.23
  • Accepted : 2024.10.07
  • Published : 2025.03.31
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Abstract

Trauma during pregnancy poses a potentially tragic risk to both the fetus and mother, making its management particularly challenging. Here, we present the case of a 35-year-old woman at 34 weeks and 2 days gestation who was in a motor vehicle accident and subsequently suffered placental abruption and underwent an emergency cesarean section. We also present a review of traumatic placental abruption and its epidemiology. On arrival at the trauma bay, the patient showed no significant abdominal findings other than a seat belt sign. However, 2 hours after admission, the patient developed abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. Ultrasonography revealed no clear evidence of placental abruption. This case demonstrates the necessity of close maternal and fetal monitoring with cooperation between the trauma and obstetric teams. Even in the absence of typical symptoms such as abdominal pain on initial presentation, a high-energy mechanism of injury should be suspected.

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References

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