A 50 year old man, who had had liver cirrhosis of 10 years, without previous variceal bleeding, presented with sudden abdominal pain, distension and hypotension and was admitted. The diagnosis of ruptured periumbilical varices was established at laparotomy. Despite surgical intervention to halt the bleeding varices the patient died of hepatic failure fourteen days postoperatively. The differential diagnosis and management of hemoperitoneum in this cirrhotic patient are discussed, and sixteen previously reported cases of intraabdominal variceal bleeding are reviewed.

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