Fertility and risk of recurrence after surgical treatment of an ectopic pregnancy (EP): Salpingostomy versus salpingectomy

Two surgical techniques can be performed for the treatment of an ectopic pregnancy (EP): a conservative one called salpingostomy and a radical one called salpingectomy. We compared both techniques to find differences about fertility or risk of recurrence. Material and methods. - We retrospectively reviewed all the women who underwent a surgical treatment for an ectopic pregnancy in the university's hospital of Caen between 2008 and 2011. We compared the results of both techniques. The primary end-point was the rate of intra-uterine pregnancy and the second end-point was the rate of recurrence of the ER We also try to identify other risk factor of infertility. Results. - One hundred and fifty-two patients have been listed initially. Ninety-eight patients still attempt to become pregnant after the ER In the conservative group, the rate of intrauterine pregnancy was 88% (n=22) and the rate of recurrence was 8% (n=2). In the radical group, the rate of intra-uterine pregnancy was 68% (n = 50) and the rate of recurrence was 5% (n=3). We could not identify any significant difference in the subsequent fertility or in the recurrence's risk between conservative and radical surgery. The age of the patient has been identified as a significative risk factor of infertility. Conclusion. - To choose the surgical technique of an EP, the wish of pregnancy, the risk factor of infertility of the patient and the laparoscopic observations have to be taken into account. It seems that there is no difference between the two surgical techniques. (C) 2015 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.