Acute abdomen in a patient with haemophilia A: A case study

Abstract

Background: Haemophilia A is a hereditary haemorrhagic disorder that can cause bleeding in the intestinal loops and, on rare occasions, simulate an acute surgical abdomen. Careful assessment of coagulation must be performed in these patients, followed by an attempt to correct the dysfunctions. Often, the administration of the deficient factor is sufficient to resolve the problem, avoiding unnecessary surgeries. Case report: We present a male patient, 15-years-old, of indigenous descent, who was a diagnosed with haemophiliaA. The young manwas admitted with abdominal pain in the right iliac fossa; ultrasonography suggested acute appendicitis. He underwent an exploratory laparotomy that revealed a normal appendix and the presence of a caecal wall haematoma, without other abnormalities. Conclusion: This case describes an unusual instance of decompensation of a patient with haemophilia A that simulated an acute surgical abdomen. The case suggests the need for further evaluation of carriers of coagulopathies, whether acquired or congenital, when they suffer abdominal pain. Otherwise, clinically treatable dysfunctions are prone to surgical treatment, with a potential for increased morbidity and mortality.