Preoperative serum hCG level and intraoperative failure of laparoscopic linear salpingostomy for ectopic pregnancy

Objective: To identify factors that predict failure of linear salpingostomy requiring salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy. Methods: Using a retrospective cohort, we examined the various risk factors of women with ectopic pregnancies presenting for conservative laparoscopic management. Success or failure of laparoscopic linear salpingostomy was the primary end point. Results: One hundred fifty-seven women underwent laparoscopic linear salpingostomy for ectopic pregnancy, of whom 120 had successful procedures and 36 had unsuccessful operations because of bleeding and needed subsequent salpingectomy either by laparoscopy or laparotomy. The likelihood of success of laparoscopic linear salpingostomy was unrelated to gestational age, size of the ectopic pregnancy, surgical technique, or experience of the surgeon or resident. However, median (quartiles) serum beta hCG levels were significantly higher in patients who underwent failed salpingostomy (10,103 [3549-19,962] IU/L) compared with those who underwent successful salpingostomy (1692 [565-3971] IU/L, P < .01). Median blood loss (225 [181-562] mL versus 100 [50-200] mL, respectively, P < .01) and mean (a standard error of the mean [SEM]) operating times (111.1 +/- 6.1 minutes versus 76.8 +/- 2.3 minutes, P < .01) were significantly greater with failed salpingostomy followed by salpingectomy, compared with successful salpingostomy. Conclusion: Preoperative serum beta hCG level was the only significant determinant of failure of laparoscopic linear salpingostomy for ectopic pregnancy. Morbidity due to intraoperative blood loss and operating time was significantly increased as a result of attempting and failing to complete laparoscopic linear salpingostomy. (Obstet Gynecol 1998;92:373-6. (C) 1998 by The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.).