Der Chirurg; Zeitschrift für alle Gebiete der operativen Medizen
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The rectus sheath hematoma is a generally rare disease, however the frequency of occurrence has increased with introduction of anticoagulant therapy. It almost always mimics the symptoms of acute abdomen. In 7 out of 14 cases, which we observed, an anticoagulant therapy was administered. ⋯ In 6 patients a laparotomy was performed, because rectus sheath hematoma was not considered. The correct diagnosis was found intraoperatively as a surprising assessment. By inclusion of rectus sheath hematoma in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and the verification by sonography an emergency laparotomy because of a false diagnosis in the often severe ill patients can be avoided in favour of a minor and more appropriate procedure.