Fertility after ectopic pregnancy

In the period July 1983 to March 1985, 264 women had surgery for ectopic pregnancy at Grady Memorial Hospital; 76 had postoperative hysterosalpingograms. Of these, 55 (76.4%) women were followed up for 3 to 41 months (mean, 23.8) to determine subsequent fertility. During the follow-up period, 30 pregnancies occurred among the 55 patients; 24 were intrauterine and 6 were repeat ectopic pregnancies. In the surgical group of 39 patients with salpingectomy, 60.8% of those desiring pregnancy achieved an intrauterine pregnancy. Of the 12 patients with salpingostomy, the three who desired pregnancy achieved it (100%). In the tubal abortion group, the two women desiring pregnancy conceived (100%). There were six repeat ectopic pregnancies (10.9%). Of the ectopic pregnancies, one occurred in the salpingectomy group (2.6%), four in the salpingostomy group (33.3%), and one in the tubal abortion group (25%). Five of the six ectopic gestations were found in the contralateral fallopian tube. Hysterosalpingographic evidence of contralateral tubal patency was a good prognostic indicator for subsequent intrauterine pregnancy. By contrast, one half of study patients with findings suggesting tubal occlusion still achieved an intrauterine pregnancy.     

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Surgical Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy with Salpingectomy versus Salpingostomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the fertility outcomes of salpingectomy compared with those of salpingostomy among patients treated for tubal ectopic pregnancies, including a separate analysis of women with risk factors along with a review of the surgical technique.Data SourcesSystematic review and meta-analysis from 1990 to the present through PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Ovid MEDLINE. The search string included “tubal pregnancy” or “ectopic” as well as “salpingectomy” and various terms describing salpingotomy.Methods of Study SelectionArticles studying women who underwent surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy and the contrasted outcomes of salpingectomy vs salpingostomy were reviewed. The primary outcomes included subsequent intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and repeat ectopic pregnancy (REP).Tabulation, Integration, and ResultsTwo randomized controlled trials (RCTs), which consisted mostly of patients classified as low risk, and patients from 16 cohort studies were included. In the RCTs, there was no significant difference in the odds of subsequent IUP in patients who underwent a salpingectomy compared with those who were treated with salpingotomy (odds ratio [OR] 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.71–1.33). However, a significant and clinically meaningful difference was noted in the cohort studies, with the patients having a lower chance of IUP after salpingectomy (OR 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39–0.52). No significant difference was noted in the OR for a REP in the randomized trials (OR 0.77; 95% CI, 0.41–1.47), but the patients followed in the cohort studies had a cumulatively higher risk of REP after a salpingostomy (OR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.60–0.90).The subgroup analysis examining women within the studies with risk factors for tubal pathology found an even more impressive lowering in the odds of a subsequent IUP in patients classified as at-risk who were treated with salpingectomy (OR 0.30; 95% CI, 0.17–0.54), with a change in the direction of the odds for an REP rate favoring those who were treated with salpingostomy (OR 1.96; 95% CI, 0.88–4.35).ConclusionSalpingectomy has clear advantages over salpingostomy, and RCTs consisting mainly of patients classified as low risk show no difference in outcomes between salpingectomy and salpingostomy. However, in cohort studies inclusive of all patients, the likelihood of a subsequent spontaneous IUP is decreased in patients treated with salpingectomy, and salpingostomies may be especially underused in women with risk factors for tubal disease.     

Interstitial Pregnancy after Ipsilateral Salpingectomy: Analysis of 46 Cases and a Literature Review

Study ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between previous ipsilateral salpingectomy and interstitial pregnancy and report on our experience of laparoscopic cornuostomy for interstitial pregnancy.DesignSingle-center, retrospective review.SettingUniversity-based hospital.PatientsAll patients who had undergone ipsilateral salpingectomy previously, diagnosed with interstitial pregnancy and treated between July 2010 and September 2018.InterventionsLaparoscopy or laparotomy as a treatment for interstitial pregnancy after ipsilateral salpingectomy.Measurements and Main ResultsA total of 414 cases of interstitial pregnancy were identified, of which 46 (11.1%) were after ipsilateral salpingectomy. Of the 46 patients, 20 (43.5%) became pregnant by in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. Ipsilateral salpingectomy was the result of an ectopic pregnancy in 40 patients, hydrosalpinx in 5 patients, and torsion of an ovarian tumor in 1 patient. The laparoscopic approach was used to treat 78.3% of patients with history of previous salpingectomy. Patients who underwent ipsilateral salpingectomy by laparoscopy previously had a shorter interval from salpingectomy to interstitial pregnancy (24 months vs 60 months; p = .038) compared with patients who underwent ipsilateral salpingectomy by laparotomy. Laparoscopic cornuostomy was performed in 38 patients (82.6%); 12 had fetal cardiac activity, 15 had ruptured masses, and 16 used prophylactic methotrexate (MTX) intraoperatively. The median size of the ectopic mass was 2.5 cm (1.0–5.0 cm). At the time of laparoscopic cornuostomy, more patients with interstitial pregnancies with intact ectopic masses were administered prophylactic MTX (81.3% vs 45.5%; p = .043). Only 1 patient with a ruptured ectopic mass, high preoperative human chorionic gonadotropin levels, and without prophylactic MTX administration experienced a persistent ectopic pregnancy.ConclusionPatients with a history of ipsilateral salpingectomy should be cautioned regarding the possibility of interstitial pregnancy. Laparoscopic cornuostomy appears to be an appropriate treatment for interstitial pregnancy in patients wishing to preserve fertility, and the use of concomitant prophylactic MTX may reduce the risk of persistent ectopic pregnancy, especially in patients with ruptured masses and high human chorionic gonadotropin levels.     

Recurrent heterotopic pregnancy after bilateral salpingectomy in an IVF patient: Case report

Purpose: To report a rare clinical case of recurrent heterotopic pregnancy in the same patient following bilateral salpingectomy and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Methods: A 35 year-old woman, suffering from mechanical infertility, was treated by IVF, resulting in two episodes of heterotopic pregnancies within 2 years. The first episode ended in bilateral salpingectomy due to unilateral tubal pregnancy and contralateral severely damaged tube. The intrauterine pregnancy ended in early missed abortion. The second heterotopic pregnancy presented as bleeding cornual pregnancy, managed by laparoscopic resection of the tubal stump, and ended in a term singleton delivery. Conclusion: The possibility of cornual heterotopic pregnancy following bilateral salpingectomy, though very rare, should be considered by every gynecologist treating IVF patient.     

Treating cornual pregnancy with a single methotrexate injection: a report of 3 cases

BACKGROUND: Cornual pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. Methotrexate (MTX) has been used successfully for the treatment of tubal pregnancies; however, its use for interstitial pregnancies is less common. CASES: Three cases of cornual pregnancy were successfully treated with a single MTX injection (50 mg/m2), without complications. CONCLUSION: A single MTX injection as medical treatment is an alternative to surgical treatment of cornual pregnancies.     

Successful management of a cornual pregnancy with a single high-dose laparoscopic methotrexate injection

Cornual (interstitial) pregnancy, a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy, accounts for 2–4% of all tubal pregnancies in which conception is located in the proximal interstitial portion of the fallopian tube. Cornual resection by laparotomy is generally the preferred method of treatment, although more conservative approaches have also been described. We report a case of cornual pregnancy that was successfully treated with a single dose of 100 mg methotrexate injected into the mass of the ectopic cornual pregnancy. The serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) level decreased to undetectable levels on the 60th post-operative day.     

Proximal Fallopian Tubal Embolization by Interventional Radiology prior to Embryo Transfer in Infertile Patients with Hydrosalpinx: A Prospective Study of an Off-label Treatment

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes of proximal fallopian tube embolization by interventional radiology compared with laparoscopic salpingectomy before embryo transfer (ET) in patients with hydrosalpinx.DesignA single-center, off-label, nonrandomized prospective study.SettingAcademic university hospital.PatientsOne hundred fifty-five patients with hydrosalpinx were identified on ultrasound or hysterosalpingography desiring IVF between April 2016 and December 2017.InterventionsRadiologically guided tubal occlusion with embolization microcoils (RTO-EM) and laparoscopic salpingectomy.Measurements and Main ResultsOf the 155 analyzed patients, 42 were treated with RTO-EM and 113 with laparoscopic salpingectomy. The subsequent IVF outcomes, including implantation, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, and ongoing pregnancy (i.e., a fetal heartbeat on ultrasound beyond 10 weeks) were compared between the 2 groups. Implantation and clinical pregnancy per ET cycle in the RTO-EM group were similar to that of the salpingectomy group (26.7% vs 30.2% [p = .51] and 39.0% vs 45.3% [p = .40], respectively), with a similar miscarriage rate. There was no statistically significant difference in ectopic pregnancies between the 2 groups. Moreover, no difference was detected in ongoing pregnancy per cycle between the 2 groups (33.9% vs 41.2%; p = .32). The ongoing-pregnancy rate per patient following RTO-EM was 47.6% (20 of 42) compared with 61.9% (70 of 113) following salpingectomy (odds ratio, 0.56; 95% confidence interval, 0.27–1.14; p = .11).ConclusionPregnancy in the RTO-EM group was comparable to the salpingectomy group in patients with hydrosalpinx before ET treatment. RTO-EMs may be an alternative to salpingectomy for patients with hydrosalpinx planning for IVF-ET.     

Grossesses interstitielles : traitement chirurgical,fertilité et devenir obstétrical. L’expérience rouennaise

ObjectivePresenting our experience concerning interstitial pregnancies (IP) surgical management and to evaluate our patients’ subsequent long-term fertility.Patients and methodTwenty patients underwent surgical treatment of IP in our department over 15 years. In this retrospective study, we present symptoms that led to diagnosis, treatments, fertility and obstetrical outcome.ResultsMean gestational age at diagnosis was 8 SA, with a median BHCG rate of 7411 IU/L, and a patient mean age of 30 years. Ninety percent of patients had at least one risk factor for ectopic pregnancy. Pain or bleeding were the most common symptoms at admission, 4 patients were admitted in an hypovolemic shock status. Location of the interstitial ectopic pregnancy was discovered during surgery in 45 % of cases. Six patients had a large hemoperitoneum bigger than 1 L, 5 patients had an IP of uterine stump after salpingectomy for a previous ectopic pregnancy. The most used surgical technique was in 60 % of cases the excision by Endo GIA stapling^® with salpingectomy. Regarding fertility, 12 patients wished pregnancy in the aftermath of the intervention, 10 had at least one pregnancy, among them there is an ectopic contralateral ampullary pregnancy, and a contralateral recurrence of interstitial pregnancy. Four patients were delivered by cesarean section and 4 patients were delivered vaginally, some several times. No uterine rupture occured.Discussion and conclusionInterstitial pregnancy is a rare ectopic pregnancy. Its diagnosis is difficult and may involve maternal life-threatening and fertility. In subsequent pregnancies, the clinician has to be careful concerning the risks of interstitial pregnancy recurrence and uterine rupture.     

Factors determining fertility after conservative or radical surgical treatment for ectopic pregnancy

Objective: To examine factors determining choice of radical or conservative surgical procedure for tubal ectopic pregnancy and subsequent pregnancy rates.Design: A retrospective study collating information from the operative notes and previous gynecologic history associated with the choice of procedure and pregnancy rates and outcome over 3 years after a primary tubal ectopic pregnancy.Patient(s): Thirty-four women who had undergone conservative (tube sparing) and 56 who had undergone radical (salpingectomy) surgical treatment for tubal ectopic pregnancy at least 3 years before the study.Main Outcome Measure(s): The main outcome measure was the occurrence of a pregnancy (live birth, miscarriage, or ectopic pregnancy) over 3 years after the ectopic pregnancy.Result(s): The type of surgery performed was not affected by a previous history of infertility, known pelvic inflammatory disease, the presence of tubal adhesions, or abnormalities on the contralateral tube. Intrauterine pregnancy was not more likely after conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancy but, equally important, the risk of a further ectopic pregnancy was not increased. The single factor that was clearly associated with future fertility problems was a past history of infertility.Conclusion(s): Better results may be obtained by careful selection of operative procedure based on history and findings at the time of surgery.     

Recurrent Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy Management and the Risk of a Third Ectopic Pregnancy

Study ObjectiveTo evaluate the rate of a third ectopic pregnancy according to the modality of treatment of the second ectopic pregnancy.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingUniversity-affiliated tertiary medical center.PatientsOne hundred eleven women who had 2 ectopic pregnancies and a third consecutive pregnancy between 2003 and 2018.InterventionsSurgery or medical treatment as required.Measurements and Main ResultsWith regard to the modality of treatment of the second ectopic pregnancy, the patients were divided into 3 groups: expectant management, medical treatment with methotrexate, and laparoscopic salpingectomy. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to assess the association of various parameters of the second ectopic pregnancy with the occurrence of a third ectopic pregnancy in the consecutive pregnancy. Twenty women (18.0%) were managed expectantly, 55 (49.6%) were treated with methotrexate, and 36 (32.4%) underwent surgery. Expectant management resulted in significantly higher rates of a third ectopic pregnancy compared with treatment with methotrexate or surgical intervention (50.0% vs 18.2% and 13.8%, respectively; p = .005). In the cases of 2 ipsilateral ectopic pregnancies, the interventional approach (medical or surgical treatment) resulted in lower recurrence rates compared with expectant management (25.7% vs 60.0%, respectively; p = .043).ConclusionThe risk of a third episode of an ectopic pregnancy after expectant management of a second ectopic pregnancy is extremely high. An interventional approach by treatment with methotrexate or salpingectomy is therefore preferred for recurrent ectopic pregnancy management, especially in ipsilateral recurrences.     

Long-term Outcome After Laparoscopic Treatment of Heterotopic Pregnancy: 19 Cases

Study ObjectiveTo determine the long-term outcome of intrauterine pregnancies after treatment of heterotopic pregnancies.DesignRetrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).SettingTertiary center university hospital.PatientsAll women who underwent surgery because of heterotopic pregnancy over 12 years.InterventionLaparoscopic surgery.Measurements and Main ResultsInfant development and future pregnancy. Extrauterine pregnancies were located in the tube (n = 13), uterine cornua (n = 3), ovary (n = 1), and tubal stump (n = 2). During laparoscopy, a ruptured tube was found in 6 tubal pregnancies (46%), blood transfusion was needed in 7 heterotopic pregnancies (37%), and salpingectomy was performed in 12 women with tubal pregnancies (91.7%). The pregnancy outcome consisted of 13 babies (term and preterm) taken home and 5 miscarriages. Long-term follow up demonstrated that 10 of 13 infants (76.9%) exhibited normal development. Three infants, all from 1 triplet pregnancy, exhibited borderline to normal development. Ten of 15 women achieved additional pregnancies, with 10 deliveries and only 1 extrauterine pregnancy in the tubal stump.ConclusionsWomen with a heterotopic pregnancy are at high risk for late diagnosis and at risk for hypovolemic shock at diagnosis, and may require blood transfusion. The outcome of intrauterine pregnancy in association with heterotopic pregnancy requiring surgical intervention is good, and most complications were associated with multifetal pregnancy and preterm delivery.     

Early recognition of ectopic pregnancy in an infertility population

On an infertility service, 170 patients were evaluated for possible ectopic pregnancy using tests for beta-human chorionic gonadotropin levels, ultrasound, and clinical examination. Thirty-four (20%) of those evaluated underwent laparoscopy, of whom 31 (91%) were found to have ectopic pregnancies. Only three of the ectopic pregnancies were ruptured; only two women had significant hemoperitoneum and only two required transfusion. Subsequent intrauterine pregnancy occurred in 5 of 11 patients who underwent salpingectomy (45%) and in 1 of 15 patients who underwent salpingotomy (7%). There were no subsequent pregnancies in five patients after expression of the ectopic from the tube. Early intervention in an infertile population decreases morbidity and may favor conservative tubal surgery, although our series could not confirm the benefits of such surgery.     

Salpingitis isthmica nodosa in infertility and ectopic pregnancy.

Excised tubal segments from 94 infertile women with tubal obstruction, with a mean infertility duration of 5.3 years, and 40 women with ectopic tubal pregnancy were studied histopathologically to evaluate the association with salpingitis isthmica nodosa (SIN). The mean age of the 94 infertile women with tubal obstruction was 24.5 years. Hysterosalpingographies and laparoscopy were performed on all of them. Only the women with ectopic pregnancies we performed salpingectomy on were included in the present study. The incidence of SIN in women with tubal obstruction was 7.4%, in women with ectopic tubal pregnancy 10%, and in the control group the incidence was 0.2%. In 60% of the cases, SIN was present in both of the tubes. Based on this study, we conclude that SIN is significantly associated with infertility and ectopic tubal pregnancy.     

Outcomes in subsequent pregnancies after wedge resection for interstitial ectopic pregnancy: a retrospective cohort study

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate pregnancy outcomes in patients with a history of wedge resection for interstitial ectopic pregnancy (WRIEP).

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of pregnancies with a history of WRIEP from 2000 to 2013 at two inner city hospitals in Detroit, MI. Pregnant-matched controls (1:3) were selected and included patients with history of surgically treated tubal ectopic pregnancy and delivered patients without history of ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy outcomes, including a composite, were compared among the groups.

Results: Eighty-three cases of interstitial pregnancy were identified. Sixty-three (75.9%) underwent WRIEP from which 19 (30.2%) had a subsequent pregnancy and 11 (57.9%) carried it ≥20 weeks. No difference in subsequent pregnancy outcomes including the composite was found among patients with prior WRIEP and patients with history of surgically treated tubal ectopic pregnancy except for a longer interpregnancy interval. Compared with delivered patients without a history of ectopic pregnancy, no difference in late obstetric outcomes was found including the composite, gestational age at delivery in weeks (38.2 versus 38.1, p?=?.955), preterm delivery rate (30% versus 21%, p?=?.674), and proportion of term vaginal (40% versus 52%, p?=?.721) or cesarean deliveries (60% versus 30%, p?=?.137). The most common indication for cesarean among patients with a history of WRIEP was a history of such (5/6, 83.3%) and there were no cases of abnormal placentation.

Conclusion: Findings suggest that a history of WRIEP is not associated with increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.     

Surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy

In most cases of ectopic pregnancy, medical treatment with methotrexate is successful. However, some cases still require surgery and laparoscopy is an effective approach. The candidates for surgical treatment include women who are not suitable to or have failed methotrexate treatment, those with heterotopic pregnancy, or those who are hemodynamically unstable. In women of reproductive age with tubal pregnancy, salpingostomy is the preferred surgical method. Conversely, salpingectomy is a better treatment for women with severely damaged fallopian tube, recurrent ectopic pregnancy in the same tube, uncontrolled bleeding after salpingostomy, large tubal pregnancy (> 5 cm), heterotopic pregnancy, and for those who have completed their family. Similar to treatment of a tubal pregnancy, cervical and interstitial pregnancy could be treated medically first. Most abdominal pregnancies are diagnosed late in pregnancy. However, when the diagnosis is made early, laparoscopic removal of the pregnancy should be performed.     

Twin ectopic pregnancy after ipsilateral salpingectomy: A report of cases

Background

Ectopic pregnancy continues to be a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Recurrent ectopic pregnancy in the remnant portion of the tube after a previous ipsilateral salpingectomy has only rarely been reported. We present unusual cases of ipsilateral ectopic pregnancy occurring in the stump of an ectopic site.

Laparoscopic Management of a Heterotopic Pregnancy in the Tubal Stump

Study ObjectiveTo demonstrate how a heterotopic tubal stump pregnancy can be safely managed with laparoscopy, preserving the intrauterine pregnancy.DesignStepwise demonstration of the technique by means of a video tutorial.SettingThe management of pregnancies in the tubal stump after salpingectomy involves either a surgical intervention or systemic therapy. In case of a simultaneous intrauterine pregnancy, although the prognosis for the fetus remains good with live births in approximately 70% of the cases, the surgical management of the tubal stump pregnancy is challenging owing to the risk of bleeding from the uterine horn 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. We present an effective and reproducible laparoscopic technique on the basis of a 31-year-old patient with 2 prior right fallopian tube pregnancies, which were later treated with salpingectomy. The patient is now presenting in the sixth week of gestation after transfer from 2 oocytes with a pregnancy in the tubal stump and a concomitant vital intrauterine pregnancy.InterventionsThe key steps of laparoscopic surgery include (1) continuous absorbable monofilament suture on the uterine horn around the tubal stump to achieve hemostasis and exposure of the proximal part of the tube, (2) removal of ectopic pregnancy, and (3) closure of the excision site with continuous absorbable polyfilament suture. The instillation of vasoconstrictive substances and the use of electrical coagulation should be avoided.ConclusionThe demonstrated laparoscopic technique is a feasible method of removal of a tubal stump pregnancy without interfering with the vital intrauterine pregnancy. The blood loss can be minimized, and laparotomy can be avoided.     

Unusual presentation of a third tubal pregnancy. A case report

A rare case occurred of a third ectopic pregnancy associated with a previous right partial salpingectomy and left total salpingectomy/cornual resection. The ectopic implantation was in the right fimbrial stump. Some suspicion of pregnancy should always be maintained despite any history of previous bilateral tubal "removal."     

Retrospective Study on Laparoscopic Management of Ectopic Pregnancy

Purpose

To evaluate various laparoscopic methods for management of tubal ectopic pregnancy and study the incidence of ectopic pregnancy including the incidence of cornual ectopic pregnancy and conversion to laparotomy during laparoscopic procedure.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in North Point Hospital, Delhi, on all laparoscopies conducted in 4 years, i.e., from January 2008 to December 2011.

Results

Incidence of ectopic pregnancy was 4.62 % (out of all laparoscopic surgeries over 4 years) and that for cornual pregnancy was 4.65 % (out of all ectopic pregnancies); no laparotomy was done for the management of ectopic pregnancy. The site of ectopic pregnancy in the tubal pregnancy varied, with 76.75 % in the ampullary region, 16.27 % isthumic, 2.33 % fimbrial, and 4.65 % in the cornual region. Salpingectomy was done in 53.5 % cases and 46.5 % of patients underwent a conservative approach in the form of salpingostomy.

Conclusion

The laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy is a safe and effective option with greatly reduced morbidity.     

Cornual uterine diverticulum following a failed pregnancy

Abstract

The discovery of a uterine diverticulum is a rare event. Diverticula can lead to outcomes including pelvic pain, ectopic pregnancy, and diverticula rupture and should be considered in cases of uterine cystic masses. We report a case of a 32-year-old G3P0030 with a complicated pregnancy and surgical history who presented to us following an abnormal laparoscopy for severe pelvic pain four years after salpingectomy for a tubal pregnancy. This laparoscopy reported a cornual uterine cystic structure. Saline infusion sonohysterography was performed with fluid filling a uterine cornual cystic mass. On hysteroscopy, no outpouching was identified. With chromopertubation on laparoscopy, methylene blue filled the diverticulum. The diverticulum was laparoscopically removed. Pathology examination was consistent with a diverticulum containing a placental implantation site and necrotic chorionic villi.