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Abstract

We present the case of a 59-year-old woman who developed a major spontaneous retroperitoneal haematoma after performing a unilateral total hip arthroplasty. We reviewed the literature to see that a retroperitoneal haematoma is a rare event which can potentially be life-threatening.

In our patient, the abdominal pain instead of being acute, as it happens on the majority of retroperitoneal haematomas, it started at day five postop associated to a sensation of abdominal fullness. An urgent CT was ordered to achieve de diagnose.

A selective angiographic embolization was employed to stop the bleeding. Even if a total hip arthroplasty is a safe procedure, we need to be alert on operated patients with abdominal pain after the surgery and perform a careful evaluation

Introduction

The annual number of hip prostheses in the world is constantly increasing, representing the second most common surgical procedure [1].

Following a total hip prosthesis, the causes of pain are numerous and of varied origins [2]: first, pain due to the approach, extraprosthetic causes (rachidian pathology tendinomyopathy of the hip abductors), infectious or mechanical aetiologies (failure of anchorage, conflict pathology). Vascular injuries after a total hip replacement (THR) are rare [3].

Haematomas are not described in literature, except in rare cases of compressive haematomas [4]. This complication is classically described as following bad anticoagulation (overdosing) or insufficient haemostasis. It usually appears as a progressive external sciatic popliteal paralysis with deglobulinization.

If it appears early, the differential diagnosis with primary neurological injury without haematoma, most frequently due to an indirect trauma (compression, stretching or intraoperative ischemia), may be problematic.

Pouliot [5] described in 2008 a unique case of major retroperitoneal haematoma which occurred three years and a half after surgery and was attributed to an iliopsoas/cup conflict.

Spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding is a rare event which can potentially be life-threatening [6]. The majority of cases if they are not related to trauma, surgery or puncture; are due to ruptured renal lesions (such as angiomyolipomas [7-9]; however, vascular disorders [10,11] and anticoagulation therapy [12-18], may also be the underlying cause. Sometimes is not possible to find an abnormality responsible for the bleeding [19]

Renal tumours account for 58% to 79% of cases of non-traumatic retroperitoneal haemorrhage [7, 20]. Presenting symptoms and clinical signs depend on the degree and duration of bleeding and therefore may vary significantly.

We present a case of major spontaneous retroperitoneal bleeding in a patient after a unilateral total hip replacement (THR)

Patient and method

Case report

A 59 years old woman (80 kg, 142 cm, BMI 39.7) was admitted for a right hip prosthesis because of a severe coxarthrosis.  She was under pain while being sitting or walking.  Her medical history consisted in diabetes mellitus type II well controlled with oral antidiabetics (metformin and glimepiride).

The preoperative blood test showed a haemoglobin of 15.3 g dL^-1, platelet count 412 x 10⁹, prothrombin time (PT) of 97.7%, international normalised ratio (INR) of 1.0, activated partial thromboplastin time of 36.1 seconds (references value 23 – 33) and a normal renal function. There was no existing coagulation disorder.

The hip prosthesis was performed under spinal anaesthesia. The puncture was performed via posterior and medial approach, at the level L2-L3, using an 80 mm, 24-gauge pencil point tip.  Three attempts were needed to accomplish the block. After the spinal puncture the patient was placed in left decubitus lateral position. Prior to skin incision 2 gr. of cefazolin were administered intravenously. We have employed an anterolateral approach (Watson Jones) to implant a cemented cup (PLE 44 mm), a ceramic liner and head (32 mm) and a CLS Spotorno uncemented stem (size 5). We didn’t use screws to fix the cup. Drainage was left during 48 hours postop to drain the postsurgical haematoma. The patient received low molecular weight heparin injections at preventive dosage (60 mg /24 hours) no intraoperative and immediate postoperative complication was seen.

Postoperative control haemoglobin, the day after the surgery was 9.1 g dL^-1, no blood transfusion was needed. In our hospital, we have a transfusion protocol, if the patient has not cardiac problems we don’t transfuse till the patient haemoglobine reaches 8 g dL^-1. The range of motion of the operated hip was normal.

At day 5, the patient started with a sensation of abdominal fullness followed by pain. The patient was constipated, and clyster was applied. After the evacuation, the patient was pale, and continued with the sensation of abdominal fullness. She presented pain with the palpation and a mass was noted in the left iliac fossa, but the Blumberg's sign was negative

A new blood test showed a blood loss (haemoglobine 6.8 gr /dL) and a moderate leukocytosis (21.1x10 ⁹ L^-1). Under the suspicion of being in front of a diverticulitis we have ordered an urgent CT scan where a large retroperitoneal haematoma with anterior displacement of the left kidney (Figure 1) and diffusion of the haematoma into the left psoas and iliac muscles was seen suspecting an origin of the bleeding on the right lumbar artery (Figure 2).  A transfusion of three packed erythrocytes concentrate was performed urgently.

An urgent arteriography using a size 4 French Simmons catheter and a Pigtail 4 French catheter (Cordis, Rhoden, The Netherlands) via the right femoral artery revealed multiple points of bleeding at different branches of the left third lumbar artery (Figure 3A). Selective catheterisation of the left third lumbar artery was undertaken with embolization using 300-500 µm and 500-700 µm multiple coils (Cook, Bjaeverskov, Denmark). Follow-up arteriography showed no further bleeding (Figure 3B).

The patient medical status improved in few days and she was discharged on postoperative day 13 with no further complaints. The patient remained symptom free after 10 months walking without crutches and has stopped taking painkillers.

Discussion

Although total hip arthroplasty is generally regarded as safe, an associated mortality with this procedure has been reported [7,10-13,20,21].

Several mechanisms of vascular injuries have been described after total hip surgery including perforation of a vessel by a direct trauma (retractors, perioperative manoeuvres, etc.), damage with the heat produced during the polymerisation of the polimethylmethacrylate and the creation of a false aneurism or arteriovenous fistula induced by repeated local trauma [3]. Retroperitoneal haematoma is a rare entity [6]. Any organ or retroperitoneal structure could be the cause of the bleeding but a small number of retroperitoneal haematomas are considered idiopathic or spontaneous [19].

There is a paper [22] of one patient who developed a retroperitoneal bleeding after spinal anesthesia using 22-gauge with the paramedian approach. Opposite to our clinical case, the patient complained of back pain radiating to her left calf, with weakness of the quadriceps muscle four hours after the surgery. In our clinical case the pain and sensation of abdominal fullness started 5 days after the surgery.

The presentation of a retroperitoneal haematoma is normally acute with abdominal pain that can be accompanied by shock signs. Sometimes it can mimic the clinic of an abdominal tumour, like a mass compressing neighbouring structures [23].

The sensation of abdominal fullness associated to an elevated leucocyte count like appendicitis or diverticulitis has also being described. Retroperitoneal haematoma has been called the “left-sided appendicitis” by Imdahl et al. [24]. In patients operated and under antithrombotic therapy [25] presenting abdominal pain after the surgery, we need to perform a complete evaluation to reject the existence of a retroperitoneal haematoma.

A contrast-enhanced CT scan is regarded as the most sensitive diagnostic modality in revealing the bleeding site and identifying any underlying pathology [26]. Ultrasonography is less sensitive than CT in detecting renal pathology but may be used as an alternative for following up conservatively-treated retroperitoneal haematomas, as it is a rapid, easily available, cost-effective and radiation-free modality.

Angiography may have both a diagnostic and a therapeutic role in patients with retroperitoneal haemorrhage. Apart from delineating any ruptured vessels, it allows for selective arterial embolization during the same procedure. Embolization reduces the risk of complications such ischemia of surrounding structures [3].

In a centre where arteriography is not available, physicians need to be aware of the clinical signs of retroperitoneal haematoma: abdominal pain, shock signs, mimic the clinic of an abdominal tumour, abdominal fullness associated to an elevated leucocyte count like appendicitis or diverticulitis… To treat the case physicians, need to perform blood transfusions and try to control the bleeding. In case they cannot control it, they need to choose between performing a surgery or transfer the patient to a hospital where they can control the bleeding performing arteriography embolization.

Conclusion

Total hip arthroplas2021 Copyright OAT. All rights reserv be alert in operated patients under antithrombotic therapy who present abdominal pain after the surgery and perform a careful evaluation. This case emphasizes the role of minimally invasive techniques, such as arterial embolization, in achieving a positive outcome.

Disclosure form

No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from a commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article. No funds were received in support of this study.

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