Subsequent fertility for patients presenting with an ectopic pregnancy and having an intra-uterine device in situ.

Of 503 ectopic pregnancies (EP) dealt with surgically using conservative laparoscopic techniques, 153 (30.4%) occurred in patients with an intra-uterine device (IUD) in situ. Examination of the characteristics of the EP revealed that the fimbrial location was more frequent among patients with an IUD whereas a significantly higher proportion were located in the isthmus in the group of patients without an IUD. Whereas the condition of the tubal wall did not differ according to the presence or absence of an IUD, adhesions and obstructed or non-existent contralateral tubes were significantly less frequent among patients with an IUD in situ. Two hundred and twenty three patients desired pregnancy, 30 of whom had an IUD in situ when the EP was diagnosed. The subsequent fertility for these 30 patients with an IUD was shown by rates for intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), recurrent EP and infertility of 96.7, 3.3 and 0% respectively. These results were significantly better than those for women who had no IUD, the figures for this group being 59, 13.4 and 27.4%, respectively. The favourable prognosis was due solely to the fact that women with an IUD had far fewer negative antecedents and that the EP probably occurred due to impaired ciliary action which is reversible when the IUD is removed.     

Salpingectomy or proximal tubal occlusion of unilateral hydrosalpinx increases the potential for spontaneous pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Studies carried out over the past 10 years have suggested that hydrosalpinges reduce the pregnancy rate in IVF. Here we report our observations of spontaneous pregnancies in patients who underwent salpingectomy (n = 18) or proximal tubal occlusion (n = 7) following diagnoses of unilateral hydrosalpinges and patent contralateral tubes. METHODS: This multi-centre, retrospective study included 25 infertility patients with known unilateral hydrosalpinges with a patent contralateral Fallopian tube. Laparoscopic treatment of unilateral hydrosalpinges by either salpingectomy or tubal occlusion was performed in each patient. Rates of subsequently observed spontaneous pregnancy, and time to pregnancy, are reported. RESULTS: The average duration of infertility in these patients was 3 years with a range of 1-10 years. Following laparoscopic surgical treatment, a total of 22 patients (88%) achieved intrauterine pregnancies, all without IVF treatment. Pregnancies occurred in an average of 5.6 months with a range of 1-21 months. There were no ectopic pregnancies in the study population. CONCLUSIONS: Selected patients with unilateral hydrosalpinges and a patent contralateral Fallopian tube may exhibit increased cycle fecundity after salpingectomy or proximal tubal occlusion of the affected tube and conceive without the need for IVF.     

Fertility after conservative and radical surgery for tubal pregnancy

A retrospective cohort study was set up to evaluate the effectiveness of conservative and radical surgery for tubal pregnancy towards subsequent fertility. Consecutive patients undergoing conservative or radical surgery for tubal pregnancy between January 1990 and August 1993 in two university hospitals were included in the study. Outcome measures were spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) and repeat ectopic pregnancy (EP). Of the 135 patients analysed, 56 underwent conservative surgery and 79 underwent radical surgery. Patients treated with conservative surgery achieved a higher 3-year cumulative pregnancy rate than those treated radically (P < 0.001, log-rank test). In patients treated conservatively, there was only one spontaneous IUP in the period between 18 months and 3 years after the tubal pregnancy. In contrast, patients treated radically continued to conceive in this period. Multivariate analysis showed a fecundity rate ratio (FRR) of 1.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.91 to 3.8] for IUP after conservative surgery in the first 18 months of follow-up. In patients with a history of bilateral tubal disease the FRR was 3.1 (95% CI: 0.76 to 12), whereas in patients without a history of bilateral tubal disease the FRR was 1.4 (95% CI: 0.13 to 16). The FRR for repeat EP was 2.4 (95% CI: 0.57 to 11). Our data indicate a beneficial effect of conservative surgery towards subsequent fertility that was not, however, statistically significant in the multivariate analysis. In view of these inconclusive data and the importance of this major health problem, randomized studies are required to assess whether conservative surgery really improves the fertility prospects of patients with tubal pregnancy.      

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor as a possible marker for early ectopic pregnancy

BACKGROUND: This study evaluated serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) concentrations in women with normal intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), arrested IUP and ectopic pregnancy (EP). METHOD: This was a prospective, case-control study evaluating serum VEGF concentrations among 45 early pregnant women who subsequently were found to have an EP, a normal IUP or an arrested IUP (15 women in each group). Patients were stratified according to serum VEGF concentrations above and below 200 pg/ml. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in VEGF concentrations among women with EP, arrested IUP and normal IUP (306.1 +/- 26.5, 169.7 +/- 16.6 and 27.0 +/- 4.4 pg/ml respectively, P < 0.001). With a cut-off concentration of 200 pg/ml, serum VEGF could distinguish normal IUP from EP with a sensitivity of 88%, a specificity of 100% and a positive predictive value of 100%. Between EP and arrested IUP, the sensitivity was 87.5%, specificity 75% and positive predictive value of 77.8%. CONCLUSIONS: VEGF is a potential marker for EP. Its concentrations in women with EP are higher than in those with normal and arrested IUP.     

Fertility after ectopic pregnancy: first results of a population-based cohort study in France

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the reproductive outcomeafter ectopic pregnancy (EP) from a population-based registerin the centre of France. Since 1992, all the women aged 15–44years, who permanently reside in the target area and who weretreated either by surgical or medical procedures for an ectopicpregnancy in one of the area centres, have been registered andprospectively followed until 45 years of age. The analysis presentedwas based on the 155 women registered between January 1992 andMarch 1994 who were followed up for at least 6 months, and whowere seeking a new pregnancy. The mean follow-up period was16 months. A total of 102 women (66%) obtained a pregnancy.The first conception was intrauterine for 92 women, and 10 hada recurrence of ectopic pregnancy. Risk factors of recurrencewere prior spontaneous abortion and prior tubal damage. Forthose women who conceived, the mean time to obtain pregnancy(’time to pregnancy‘) was 4.8 months. The 1 yearcumulative intrauterine pregnancy rate (i.e. the probabilityof obtaining an intrauterine pregnancy within 1 year of seekingpregnancy) was 70%. After multivariate analysis by a Cox regression,the factors associated with higher fertility were age < 30years, high educational level and no prior tubal damage.     

Assessment of tubal patency with transvaginal salpingosonography after treatment for tubal pregnancy

Tubal patency was studied in 32 patients who had previously undergone a laparoscopic or laparotomy procedure (salpingostomy, salpingectomy or tubal resection), or who had received a local injection of hypertonic glucose because of tubal pregnancy. Transvaginal salpingosonography (TSSG) was subsequently performed in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, and laparoscopic chromopertubation was carried out as a comparative method after TSSG. Of 32 patients (47 Fallopian tubes examined), the affected tube was observed to be patent by TSSG in 68%. The contralateral tube was patent in 93%. Nine patients became pregnant and were thus not subsequently assessed with laparoscopy. Two of these pregnancies ended in a miscarriage and one in a recurrent tubal pregnancy. A concordance of 86% for Fallopian tubes was achieved between the TSSG and laparoscopic chromopertubation methods. When checking the Fallopian tubes separately, the concordance for the results in the affected tubes was 67%, and 100% for the contralateral tube. Therefore TSSG appears to be a practical method for the primary examination of tubal patency in patients treated previously for tubal pregnancy. Guidelines for the treatment of infertility after tubal pregnancy can also be set out according to TSSG findings.      

Therapeutic strategies in tubal infertility with distal pathology.

Since 1980, various treatments have been proposed for patients suffering from distal tubal infertility. Difficult choices between surgical (microsurgery/laparoscopy) treatments and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) still confront many workers. In this study, we evaluated the cumulative results of both therapeutic methods for this group of patients. From 1979 to 1990, 266 patients with distal tubal infertility were operated in our programme (group M: microsurgery, n = 211; group L: laparoscopy, n = 55). In group M, pathological findings were hydrosalpinges (n = 135) and incomplete distal tubal occlusion, (n = 76) and in group L hydrosalpinges (n = 31) and incomplete distal tubal occlusion (n = 24). After differing time intervals, IVF was proposed for these patients when no pregnancy occurred. The results were as follows: in group M, 35.5% intra-uterine pregnancy (IUP) and 6.6% ectopic pregnancy (EP) after fimbrioplasties versus 28.1% IUP and 11.9% EP after salpingostomy; in group L, 16.6% IUP and 4.2% EP after fimbrioplasty versus 12.9% IUP and 6.5% EP after salpingostomy. Following IVF, 55.7% of patients in group M and 14.5% in group L became pregnant. The cumulative results including both treatment techniques (surgery and IVF) show an average of 70% and 65% pregnancy rates in groups M and L respectively. The best results after surgery and throughout IVF were obtained during the first year. It is concluded that a short delay after surgery, averaging 6 months to 1 year, before involving patients in IVF, is very important.     

Laparoscopic microsurgical anastomosis of the blocked,solitary post-ectopic Fallopian tube: case report

The surgical options for the management of ectopic pregnancy include linear salpingotomy or salpingectomy. If salpingotomy is performed, subsequent tubal blockage may result and if this occurs in a solitary Fallopian tube then assisted reproductive technology is recommended as the treatment of choice. We describe a case report detailing the application of laparoscopic microsurgical tubal reanastomosis in two patients with post-ectopic blockage in a solitary Fallopian tube. Both patients conceived post-operatively and subsequently delivered term pregnancies. Laparoscopic microsurgery offers an alternative to assisted reproductive technology in patients with post-ectopic tubal obstruction in a single Fallopian tube.     

The dilemma of the optimal surgical procedure in ectopic pregnancies occurring in in-vitro fertilization.

Ectopic pregnancy remains one of the undesired sequelae of in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment. It seems that mechanical infertility increases the risk of this complication in IVF. Thus, the surgeon treating such a case faces the dilemma of the optimal surgical procedure because of the increased risk for repeated ectopic pregnancy in subsequent IVF cycles. Two cases are presented with repeated ectopic pregnancy occurring in IVF. One case underwent salpingectomy on the first occasion and eventually developed a contralateral repeat ectopic gestation ending with salpingectomy. The second case underwent a conservative salpingotomy in the first event and developed a repeated ectopic gestation on the same side, undergoing bilateral salpingectomy. In order to prevent repeated ectopic pregnancies in an IVF programme, a definitive surgical procedure, such as bilateral salpingectomy, should be considered in the first episode in patients referred for IVF because of tubal pathology.     

Laparoscopic salpingotomy for tubal pregnancy: comparison of linear salpingotomy with and without suturing

BACKGROUND: The study was carried out to clarify the incidence of post-operative tubal adhesions, patency rate and pregnancy outcome after laparoscopic salpingotomy with and without suturing for tubal pregnancy. METHODS: From May 1996 to December 2002, a total of 97 cases of tubal pregnancy were treated in our centre by laparoscopic conservative surgery. The successful salpingotomy cases were randomly assigned to undergo salpingotomy without suturing (group I; n = 43) or with suturing (group II; n = 32). We compared these patients and assessed their surgical and pregnancy outcome by second look laparoscopy (SLL) 3 months after the first operation. RESULTS: Seventy-five cases (77%) were treated successfully by salpingotomy at initial laparoscopic surgery, and the remaining 22 cases were unsuccessful because of bleeding or complete tubal damage. Pelvic findings were assessed at SLL in 21 of 43 cases (49%) in group I and 17 of 32 (53%) in group II. There were no significant differences in gestational age, ectopic site, tubal diameter, tubal condition, intraperitoneal haemorrhage and pre-operative HCG levels between the two groups. Only the operation time was longer in group II than in group I (91 +/- 15 versus 69 +/- 15 min, P < 0.05). The tubal patency rate of the treated side was 90% (19/21) in group I and 94% (16/17) in group II. Also the peritubal adhesions were observed in 33% (7/21) in group I and 29% (5/17) in group II, and were mostly comprised of filmy adhesions. A tubal fistula occurred in two cases in each group. Pregnancy rate was 79% (15/19) in group I and 92% (12/13) in group II, and this did not reveal any significant difference of cumulative pregnancy rate between the groups. CONCLUSION: We recommend laparoscopic linear salpingotomy as a useful method in the management of cases with tubal pregnancy who desire future pregnancy. This preliminary study emphasizes that the procedure involving suturing has no additional benefit over the non-suturing technique during salpingotomy.     

Pregnancy: Determinants of reproductive prognosis after ectopic pregnancy

The reproductive prognosis of 115 women desiring pregnancy whounderwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy between 1985 and 1990at the Clinica Luigi Mangiagalli, was analysed after a medianfollow-up period of 26 months (range 2–83). Probabilityof reproductive events was assessed by a product-limit model.Women who underwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy had a 54%probability of becoming pregnant (cumulative pregnancy rate,CPR) and a 36% probability of giving birth to a child (cumulativelivebirth rate, CLB) during the 3 years after surgery. Thesepercentages dropped with history of previous ectopic pregnancy(respectively 33%, P = 0.07, and 7%, P < 0.05). Increasingage at surgery and presence of adhesions in the contra-lateraltube seemed to be associated with poor reproductive prognosis(CPR = 40% and CLB = 12% for women aged 35 years and CPR = 37%and CLB = 20% in women with adhesions in the contra-lateraltube), but these findings were not statistically significant.No association emerged between fertility and parity or typeof surgery. The recurrence rate of ectopic pregnancy was 20%.No significant association emerged between recurrence of ectopicpregnancy and age, history of previous pregnancy, history ofprevious ectopic pregnancy, non-intact contra-lateral tube andsalpingotomy.     

Prognostic capacity of transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy to predict spontaneous pregnancy

BACKGROUND: In 1998, transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (THL) was introduced as a new outpatient procedure for exploration of tubo-ovarian structures and tubal patency in subfertile patients. At present, there are no large studies that relate the findings at THL to fertility outcome. METHODS: Consecutive patients undergoing THL for subfertility between 2000 and 2004 were included in this prospective cohort study. Follow-up ended when ongoing pregnancy or tubal surgery occurred or at the day of last contact. Kaplan-Meier curves for the occurrence of intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) (spontaneous or after intrauterine insemination) were constructed for a normal THL, a THL with a one-sided tubal pathology and a THL with a two-sided tubal pathology. Fecundity rate ratios (FRRs) were calculated to express the association between THL findings and the occurrence of IUP. Patients rated their pain experiences and acceptability on a visual analogue scale (VAS). RESULTS: We included 272 women. In 96% (261) of the patients, access to the pouch of Douglas was achieved. Complications occurred in 2% of the procedures. In 203 (78%) patients, both tubo-ovarian structures could be visualized and tubal patency was shown. One-sided tubal occlusion was found in 10%, whereas two-sided tubal occlusion was seen in 4% of the patients. Adhesions and/or endometriosis were observed in 8% of the patients. The FRRs for one-sided tubal pathology, two-sided tubal pathology and adhesions/endometriosis were 0.59, 0 and 0.80, respectively. The VAS scores showed pain to be limited and the procedure to be acceptable. CONCLUSION: THL is a feasible technique. Its capacity to predict spontaneous ongoing pregnancy is comparable to that of laparoscopy.     

Single-Port Laparoscopic Salpingectomy for Surgical Treatment of Tubal Pregnancy: Comparison with Multi-Port Laparoscopic Salpingectomy

BackgroundThis study investigates the safety and feasibility of transumbilical single-port laparoscopic salpingectomy (SPLS) using conventional laparoscopic instruments compared to conventional multi-port laparoscopic salpingectomy (MPLS) for surgical treatment of tubal pregnancy.Material and methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 63 patients with tubal pregnancy who underwent SPLS and 71 patients who underwent conventional MPLS between January 2008 and December 2010. All patients in the SPLS group had a drainage tube placed through the umbilicus, and, in the MPLS group, through a 5-mm trocar site in one side of the lower abdomen.Results No significance difference was discovered between the groups with regard to adjusted hemoglobin values (SPLS, 1.9 ± 1.0 g/dL versus MPLS, 1.7 ± 1.0 g/dL, P = 0.335). Additionally, there was also no significant difference in clinical characteristics, intraoperative findings, or operative outcomes.Conclusions Our study demonstrated that transumbilical SPLS using conventional laparoscopic instruments has operative outcomes comparable to MPLS for the surgical treatment of tubal pregnancy. Transumbilical SPLS may therefore be offered as a feasible alternative to MPLS.     

Salpingectomy by operative laparoscopy and subsequent reproductive performance

Between January 1984 and August 1991, 511 cases of extrauterinepregnancies were diagnosed by laparoscopy in out department.In 374 cases salpingectomy was performed: 184 by explorativelaparotomy, and 190 by operative laparoscopy. Patients werescheduled for salpingectomy if one or more of the followingcriteria were fulfilled: (i) a ruptured tube which was surgicallyunsuitable for conservation; (ii) no interest in future fertility;(iii) tubes with ectopic gestation previously operated on; (iv)a previous tubal pregnancy on the same side, which was treatedexpectantly. Salpingectomy was performed via operative laparoscopywith bipolar diathermy forceps and laparoscopic scissors. Pregnancyrates, i.e. intra-uterine and repeat extra-uterine, were evaluated.The reproductive performance following salpingectomy did notdiffer significantly, whether by laparotomy or laparoscopy:the intra-uterine pregnancy rate was 78 and 64%, respectivelyand the repeat ectopic pregnancy rate was 12 and 6%, respectively.Salpingectomy via laparoscopy can be performed safely with alow incidence of complications, with subsequent reproductiveperformance comparable to laparotomy.     

Spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy following salpingectomy for a unilateral hydrosalpinx

The effect of salpingectomy for unilateral hydrosalpinx with a contralateral normal tube was evaluated in two infertile patients in which unilateral hydrosalpinx, visualized by vaginal ultrasound, was treated by unilateral salpingectomy as a preparatory step before IVF. Spontaneous pregnancy occurred in both patients while waiting to be enrolled in an IVF trial. In conclusion, unilateral salpingectomy for hydrosalpinx in the presence of a contralateral healthy tube could result in spontaneous pregnancy.     

Ectopic pregnancy in the ampulla of the fallopian tube at 16 gestational weeks: lessons from a case report

BackgroundIt is uncommon to find ampullary tubal pregnancy in the second trimester.MethodsA 35-year-old G4P3 at 16 gestational weeks presented with a day history of sudden severe lower abdominal pain and no vaginal bleeding. The patient had a normal pulse of 82/minutes, haemoglobin concentration of 6.3 g/dl and ultrasonography showed an empty uterus with an alive fetus in the right adnexa. She was provisionally diagnosed to have an abdominal pregnancy.ResultsThe patient had an emergency laparotomy where 2.2 L of haemoperitoneum and a slow-leaking right ampullary tubal pregnancy were found. Right total salpingectomy was performed and she had an uncomplicated post-operative follow-up. Histology of the lesion confirmed tubal pregnancy.ConclusionThe growth of a pregnancy in the ampulla beyond the first trimester is possibly due to increased thickness and or distensibility of the fallopian tube. A tubal pregnancy may present with a normal pulse despite significant haemorrhage.     

Pregnancy: Operative laparoscopy for ectopic pregnancy: how experienced should the surgeon be?

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of laparoscopicsurgery for ectopic pregnancy in a general hospital in Paris,where most of the surgeons are still in training. During a periodof 20 months, 100 cases of ectopic pregnancy were diagnosedand treated by the attending residents. Nine cases requireda laparotomy due to heavy bleeding or interstitial ectopic pregnancy.Most of the other cases were treated laparoscopically, witheither salpingectomy (70 cases) or linear salpingostomy (19cases). Complications of the laparoscopic surgical procedureswere rare. There was one failure of linear salpingostomy thatrequired a second intervention (5.3% failure rate); there wasone case of urinary retention that resolved after 48 h; andone case of fever above 38°C that responded well to antimicrobialtherapy. In conclusion, we have shown that the current notionthat laparoscopic surgery is preferred to conventional abdominalsurgery for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy, can be appliedto a public gynaecological centre with young inexperienced residents,supervised by experienced gynaecologists.     

Pregnancy: Combined intra-uterine and extra-uterine pregnancy associated with mild hyperstimulation syndrome after clomiphene ovulation induction

We report a combined intra-uterine and tubal pregnancy associatedwith mild ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) followingovulation induction by clomiphene. The diagnosis of ectopicpregnancy was originally missed until rupture occurred. OHSSconfused the clinical pIctures the important diagnostic featurebeing the fail In the haemoglobln concentration. The patienthad a left partial salpingectomy and the uterine pregnancy progressesnormally.     

Is previous aberrant reproductive outcome predictive of subsequently reduced fecundity?

BACKGROUND: Effect of past reproductive performance on subsequent fecundity is uncertain. METHODS: A total of 2983 consecutive pregnant women self-completed questionnaires about time to pregnancy (TTP), pregnancy planning, previous pregnancies, contraceptive use, age, and individual/lifestyle variables. Outcome measures were: TTP, conception rates (CR) and, subfecundity odds ratio (OR; with 95% confidence intervals) before and after each outcome of last pregnancy. RESULTS: After miscarriage, TTP was longer than before miscarriage [2.1 (1.4-3.0), P < 0.001] and than TTP after livebirth [OR = 2.1 (1.6-2.6), P < 0.001]. Also subfecundity OR after miscarriage increased [1.7 (1.2-2.4), 1.8 (1.2-2.5), P = 0.001, 0.002 respectively]. This effect was more evident in older and obese women. Compared with livebirth, time to ectopic pregnancy (EP) was longer [OR = 13.8 (1.8-108.5), P = 0.001] but TTP after EP was not significantly different. Subfecundity OR relative to livebirth were 12.8 (3.6-45.0) (P<0.001) before, and 3.9 (1.4-11.0) (P=0.01) after, EP. The CR after EP increased 3-fold (1.1-8.3) over those prior to EP. Time to the terminated pregnancies even without contraceptive failures was shorter than that to livebirth [OR = 0.5 (0.3-0.7), P = 0.001] and than TTP after termination [0.35 (0.1-0.8), P = 0.001]. Also subfecundity OR increased after termination [7.2 (1.8-29.7), P = 0.02]. CONCLUSIONS: Miscarriers should be counselled about short-term reduction in subsequent fecundity, and earlier investigations should be considered in those who have other potential risk factors for reduced fertility. Further studies are required to clarify the relatively favourable effect on fecundity following EP and the relative reduction in fecundity after termination of pregnancy.