Massive ascites after cesarean section in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Heo, Eun Young; Hwangbo, Ji Hye; Lee, Yoon Hee; Kim, Mi Ju; Bae, Jin Young; Seong, Won Joon

doi:2011.54.5.252

Case Report

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 2011;54(5):252-255.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5468/KJOG.2011.54.5.252 Published online May 1, 2011.

Massive ascites after cesarean section in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Eun Young Heo, Ji Hye Hwangbo, Yoon Hee Lee, Mi Ju Kim, Jin Young Bae, Won Joon Seong

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea. duchess7@naver.com

Abstract

Pregnancy is a rare event in patients with cirrhosis. But recently, improvements in the treatment of chronic liver disease have resulted in higher conception rates and more successful pregnancy outcomes. A 32-year-old woman with liver cirrhosis underwent cesarean section due to aggravated preeclampsia at 31 3/7 weeks of gestation. After 3 days postoperatively, she complained abdominal distension, and abdominal sonography showed massive amount of ascites. Following paracentesis and administration of diuretics, her course was uneventful. There are increasing numbers of case reports and case series of pregnancy in liver cirrhosis. Nevertheless, morbidity and mortality remains higher than that of the general pregnant population. It is therefore important for physicians caring for pregnant patients with cirrhosis to understand how to approach potential complications and tailor management regimens appropriately.

Key Words: Liver cirrhosis, Pregnancy, Ascites, Complication