Persistent ectopic pregnancy and recurrent ectopic pregnancy in our institute

Abstract

In recent years, improvements in diagnostic technology have enabled the early detection of ectopic pregnancy, and the opportunities for preserving the oviduct have increased, particularly as laparoscopic surgery has become the first-line choice for treatment of ectopic pregnancy in an increasing number of institutions. At our institution we use laparoscopic techniques to attempt oviduct preservation in patients with ectopic pregnancy who wish to become pregnant again. In this report, we examined the rates of persistent ectopic pregnancy and repeat ectopic pregnancy over a ten year period in patients who were treated laparoscopically with oviduct preservation. When compared with other treatments, we found a lower rate of persistent and recurrent ectopic pregnancy in women who were treated with oviduct-persevering laparoscopy. We conclude that laparoscopic surgery with oviduct preservation should be the therapy of choice for ectopic pregnancy when the patient still desires to get pregnant. However, a thoroughly informed consent detailing the risks of persistent and recurrent ectopic pregnancies must be a priority because of the high emotional toll of these complications.