“Chronic” ectopic tubal pregnancy

Abstract

“Chronic” tubal pregnancy has accounted for over one half of the ectopic pregnancies seen in our private practice during the past 7 years.The chronic rupture of the oviduct occurred most frequently in the multiparous Negro patient. The length of gestation was not increased, but the duration of illness was twice as long. None of the patients with chronic ectopic pregnancy exhibited evidence of shock on admission.The demonstration of anemia was the only helpful laboratory study.Posterior colpotomy was an invaluable diagnostic acid in differentiating between a “chronic” ectopic pregnancy and salpingo-oophoritis.The pathologic process is usually that of a large infected walled-off hematoma around the products of conception in the outer one half of the Fallopian tube.