Ectopic pregnancy; risk factors and comparison of intervention success rates in tubal ectopic pregnancy

Objective: The assessment of ectopic pregnancy, its risk factors and comparison of the treatment modalities. Material and Design: Between January 2002 and July 2009, 254 ectopic pregnancies were reviewed retrospectively at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ege University. Complaints of patients, localizations of ectopic pregnancy and comparison of patients, whether they had medical therapy or surgery, were evaluated. Metotrexate (50 mg/m(2) IM) was used in hemodinamically stable patients (hCG concentrations of patients varied between 450 IU/l and 3660 IU/l). Patients with fetal cardiac activity and serum hCG concentrations higher than 5000 UI/l, were treated surgically. Serum hCG concentrations were measured until the hormone was undetectable (< 1 IU/l). Results: Tubal ectopic pregnancy consisted of 95% of ectopic pregnancies in this trial. The most frequently seen symptom was abdominopelvic pain (77%). Ectopic pregnancy occurred in patients including those with a history of pelvic surgery (12%), previous ectopic pregnancy (6%), usage of intrauterine devices (6%), history of infertility (5.5%) and history of pelvic inflamatory disease (4%). While hemodynamically stable, 83 patients were given single dose methotrexate (50 mg/m2), and 165 patients were treated surgically. Totally 93 salpingectomies and 54 salpingostomies were performed. Of 83 patients administered single dose methotrexate, 69 were succesfully treated with one course, six patients needed a second course and surgical intervention was performed in eight patients. On the other hand, of patients that underwent surgery, seven of the salpingostomy group needed methotrexate for persistent trophoblasts and three of this group were reoperated. The tube was preserved in 49 patients in the salpingostomy group (90.7%) versus 75 (92.8%) in the methotexate group (p: 0.916). When undetectable hCG levels following initial therapy were considered, no significant difference was found between the two treatment groups (p: 0.804). Discussion: In selected patients with low serum hCG concentrations systemic methotrexate is a good alternative. Early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy improves medical therapy. Although salpingectomy solves the problem definitely, comprehensive studies are required concerning future fertility of salpingectomy patients compared with salpingostomy patients.