RESEARCH ARTICLE
Rectus Sheath Hematoma: A Simplified Emergency Surgical Approach
Michael Mantelas1, *, Niki Katsiki2, 3, Polychronis Antonitsis1, Ellada Kyurdzhieva4, Dimitri P Mikhailidis2, Apostolos Hatzitolios3
Article Information
Identifiers and Pagination:
Year: 2011Volume: 5
First Page: 4
Last Page: 5
Publisher ID: TOCMJ-5-4
DOI: 10.2174/1874192401105010004
Article History:
Received Date: 2/12/2010Revision Received Date: 24/12/2010
Acceptance Date: 28/12/2010
Electronic publication date: 4/2/2011
Collection year: 2011

open-access license: This is an open access article licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted, non-commercial use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the work is properly cited.
Abstract
Rectus sheath hematoma (RSH) is an uncommon clinical event usually associated with trauma or coagulation disorders. It can also occur spontaneously. RSH usually runs a benign course but it can present with hypovolemic shock. When conservative management fails, surgical exploration becomes mandatory. We propose a technique of emergency ligation of the inferior epigastric artery. This is a simple approach as this artery originates at the posterior rectus sheath above the inguinal ligament. This safe technique provides immediate hemodynamic stabilization.