Fertility outcome after treatment of tubal pregnancy by laparoscopic laser surgery.

Abstract

In 150 women with tubal pregnancy consecutively treated over a two year period by laparoscopic techniques, 74 were treated conservatively by linear salpingotomy with carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy and 76 cases non-conservatively through the laparoscope by salpingectomy. Between 15 and 37 months later all patients were contacted by means of questionnaires to evaluate subsequent fertility outcome. Sixty-six percent (38/58) of those women who desired pregnancy after conservative laparoscopic treatment achieved an intrauterine pregnancy. The corresponding rate for women who desired pregnancy after salpingectomy was 45% (18/40). The recurrent ectopic pregnancy rates in the two groups were 7% (4/58) and 10% (4/40), respectively. This study confirms that tubal pregnancy can be appropriately managed by laparoscopic laser surgery with the advantages of minimal invasive techniques.