Surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy remains the leading cause of death in the first trimester of pregnancy. Today, serial serum hCG measurements and transvaginal ultrasound examination can provide early detection of most ectopic pregnancies allowing medical treatment with methotrexate. In those who require surgery, the type of procedure depends on the clinical situation and the location of the pregnancy. Most of the cases can and should be performed by laparoscopy. Compared with laparotomy, the laparoscopic approach is associated with many advantages including short hospital stay, low cost and less adhesion formation. In addition, hemoperitoneum is not a contraindication for performing laparoscopy. Linear salpingostomy is the procedure of choice when unruptured tubal pregnancy is found in women who want to preserve their fertility; otherwise, salpingectomy is performed. Fertility performance after salpingostomy and salpingectomy is comparable. Similar to the case with tubal ectopic pregnancy in general, women with non-tubal ectopic pregnancy such as cervical, interstitial, or Caesarean scar pregnancy should be first treated medically with methotrexate. These types of ectopic pregnancies may be associated with massive bleeding during surgery. Precautionary procedures should be considered and these include the placement of an angiographic catheter for possible uterine artery embolization. These pregnancies can also be treated laparoscopically. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.