Incarceration of a retroflexed, gravid uterus from severe uterine prolapse: a case report.

BACKGROUND

Acute urinary retention as a result of incarceration of a retroflexed, gravid uterus is a known phenomenon. However, prolapse as a risk factor has not been previously described.

METHODS

A 40-year-old woman, gravida 4, para 2, with an intrauterine gestation of 19 weeks presented to the emergency room complaining of inability to void for the previous 12 hours and difficulty voiding and constipation for the previous 6 weeks. She had a history significant for stage III uterine prolapse in early pregnancy. Foley catheterization yielded 800 mL of urine, and an examination revealed a retroflexed uterus. The cervix was displaced anteriorly behind the pubic symphysis. Ultrasound confirmed these findings and the presence of a viable gestation. The uterus was successfully manually displaced under epidural anesthesia. The patient was able to void without difficulty after uterine displacement.

CONCLUSIONS

Incarceration of a retroflexed uterus should be considered in the differential diagnosis in any woman who presents with voiding difficulty in the late first or second trimester. Uterine prolapse is a risk factor for incarceration of a retroflexed uterus. Epidural anesthesia should be considered for a patient if manual uterine displacement cannot be performed successfully without anesthesia.