# Primary Peritoneal Pregnancy Requiring Conversion From Laparoscopic to Open Surgery Due to Massive Hemorrhage: A Case Report

**Authors:** Rieko Okubo, Tomomi Egawa-Takata, Mayako Goto, Kensuke Hori, Kimihiko Ito

PMC · DOI: 10.7759/cureus.103447 · Cureus · 2026-02-11

## TL;DR

A rare case of primary peritoneal pregnancy led to a switch from laparoscopic to open surgery due to severe bleeding during the procedure.

## Contribution

This case report highlights the diagnostic challenges and surgical risks associated with primary peritoneal pregnancy.

## Key findings

- Laparoscopic surgery was converted to open surgery due to massive hemorrhage during peritoneal pregnancy treatment.
- The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful with appropriate decline in hCG levels.
- Imaging failed to accurately identify the gestational sac before surgery, leading to initial misdiagnosis.

## Abstract

Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are useful tools for the preoperative diagnosis of peritoneal pregnancy; however, accurate diagnosis before surgery remains challenging. We report a rare case of primary peritoneal pregnancy in which laparoscopic surgery was initiated under the suspicion of tubal pregnancy, but was converted to open surgery due to massive hemorrhage.

A 40-year-old female (gravida 1, para 1) was referred to our hospital at six weeks and six days of gestation for suspected ectopic pregnancy. Despite a serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level of 10,060 mIU/mL, no intrauterine gestational sac was identified. Imaging revealed a gestational sac-like hematoma adjacent to the uterus. Laparoscopic surgery was planned for a presumed tubal pregnancy. Intraoperatively, a gestational sac was found in the pouch of Douglas, leading to the diagnosis of peritoneal pregnancy. During the attempted removal of the trophoblastic tissue, massive hemorrhage occurred, necessitating conversion to open surgery. The total blood loss was 2,450 mL, and a blood transfusion was required. The postoperative course was uneventful, and serum hCG levels declined appropriately after surgery.

## Linked entities

- **Diseases:** ectopic pregnancy (MONDO:0000755)

## Full-text entities

- **Genes:** CGB5 (chorionic gonadotropin subunit beta 5) [NCBI Gene 93659] {aka CGB, HCG}
- **Diseases:** hematoma (MESH:D006406), tubal pregnancy (MESH:D011274), Hemorrhage (MESH:D006470), Peritoneal Pregnancy (MESH:D010538), ectopic pregnancy (MESH:D011271), blood loss (MESH:D016063)

## Full text

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## Figures

4 figures with captions in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12988375/full.md

## References

7 references — full list in the complete paper: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12988375/full.md

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Source: https://tomesphere.com/paper/PMC12988375