Abstract

Patients who treated for hematoma of the rectus between January 1995 and February 2001 are reviewed retrospectively. Seven of the 8 patients were female and the mean age was 49 (range 26-65 years). Of the patients with hematoma, 3 had a history of antihypertensive treatment, 2 had strong coughing, 1 had previous abdominal operation, and 1 had trauma. In the other patient there was no predispozing factor for hematoma. None of the patients received blood transfusion. Management of the hematoma was surgical in 7 patients and medical in 1 patients.

Early diagnosis of hematoma of the rectus is based on suspicion. Other causes of the acute abdomen must be considered in differential diagnosis and hematoma must be confirmed by ultrasonography and computerized tomography.