Contemporary management of spontaneous retroperitoneal and rectus sheath hematomas.

BACKGROUND: Retroperitoneal and rectus sheath hematomas can occur spontaneously. There is a lack of research about the disease progression, optimal treatment strategies and the need for surgical intervention. Our study investigated their outcomes and management. STUDY DESIGN: Adult patients admitted during a one-year period with non-traumatic retroperitoneal or rectus sheath hematomas were retrospectively identified. Biographical, hospital-course, and outcome data were extracted. RESULTS: 99 patients were included; median age was 73-years (IQR 61-80). 88 patients were on an anticoagulant or antiplatelet agent. Warfarin and intravenous heparin being the most commonly utilized agents (42% and 36.4%, respectively). All 99 patients were diagnosed by CT scan. 79 patients received some sort of blood product (79.8% PRBC, 43.4% FFP, 17% platelets), and 26 patients were in hemorrhagic shock. 17 patients underwent angiography and/or angioembolization. Neither anticoagulation in general nor any specific agent was associated with the need for blood product transfusion or angiography. 13 patients died but none were attributable to the hematoma. CONCLUSION: Both hematomas are usually self-limiting and rarely require surgical intervention. A subset may require angioembolization.