Ectopic pregnancy.

During the last two decades, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy was shown to be rising. At the same time, ectopic pregnancy became less lethal due to improvements in diagnostic procedures, which are now able to confirm the ectopic implantation before the occurrence of life-threatening hemorrhagic complications. Earlier diagnosis has also offered the possibility of conservative surgical and medical treatments.     

Ectopic pregnancy in Zimbabwe.

One hundred four consecutive ectopic pregnancies were systematically analysed. During the study period, the incidence rate was 110 per 100,000 14-44 year old females per year. A history of prior pelvic infection was given by 53.8% of the cases and was suggested by surgical findings or by histological analysis among 74.9%. Serological evidence of previous chlamydial infection was much more common when ectopic pregnancy occurred in abnormal tubes than in normal tubes or compared to intrauterine pregnancies. The influence of schistosomiasis, endometriosis and ovarian cyst was limited to a very few cases. The analysis of contraceptive habits shows a much higher number of extrauterine pregnancies when the woman is using progestin-only pill than when she is on combined oral tablets.     

异位妊娠

异位妊娠是指发生于子宫以外的妊娠。其中绝大部分（98％）发生于输卵管，而卵巢、宫颈、腹腔也可发生，但较为罕见。异位妊娠占妊娠总数的1／150，发生率较20年前提高了4倍。     

Ectopic pregnancy

In Finland there were 3 193 ectopic pregnancies registered during the years 1973-1976 (1,25% of the newborns) and 4 856 ectopic pregnancies (1,91%) during the years 1977-1980. Also in the State Maternity Hospital Helsinki the ectopic pregnancy rate rose from 0,8% to 1,4%. During the years 1977-1980 241 women were operated on. From 112 patients without postoperative contraception 48% gave birth, 33% remained infertile, 10% had a recurrent ectopic pregnancy and 9% had an abortion. The best results were achieved in the salpingectomy group. In cases of conservative operations expression was more favorable than salpingotomy. With the development of better diagnostic methods the possibility of conservative operations, partial resection of the tube, respectively, later followed by microsurgical anastomosis, will be increased.     

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a implantation occurring elsewhere than in the cavity of the uterus, whereas nintynine percent of extrauterine pregnancies occur in the fallopian tube. The incidence of extrauterine pregnancy has increased from 0.5% thirty years ago, to a present day 1–2%. The most frequent cause of tubal pregnancy is previous salpingitis. Mortality rates for tubal pregnancies used to be approximately 1.7% in the 1970 s but dropped to 0.3% in 1980 s. Diagnosis: Using transvaginal ultrasound it is possible to obtain positive evidence of an ectopic pregnancy at a very early stage. In cases of hCG titers>2000 IU/l, intrauterine pregnancy can be diagnosed with certainty. The most important differential diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy is early intrauterine pregnancy. Clinical management and therapy: Regardless of the therapeutic strategy selected by the physician, informing the patient is a major aspect of the management of ectopic pregnancy. If surgery is considered appropriate, the patient must be informed about the nature, side effects and complications of the procedure. However, it should be remembered that in some cases, the actual chances of cure first become apparent at surgery. In asymptomatic patients with a serum hCG titer <1000 IU/l that is falling, it is appropriate to wait and watch. In clinically stable patients with an unruptured tubal pregnancy and steady hCG levels, systemic treatment with methotrexate might also be considered. In unruptured tubal pregnancy with a hCG titer between 1000 and 2500, a further therapeutic alternative is intratubal injection of prostaglandins, hyperosmolar glucose of NaCl. Generally speaking, the currently widespread laparoscopic surgical treatment of the fallopian tube hardly influences the risk of recurrence. If the gestational mass is larger, the serum hCG titer higher than the approximate limit of 2500 mU/ml and/or the tube already ruptured, surgery is usually required. Prevention: The most effective prevention is to avoid tubal inflammation or, in cases of preexisting inflammation, to administer effective therapy. Received: December 1998 / Accepted: 25 May 1999     

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) occurs in around 1–2% of all pregnancies, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Identifying those most at risk of harm relies on effective information sharing between primary and secondary care, and between secondary care services including early pregnancy assessments units. There is a need to improve the recognition of symptoms of ectopic pregnancy and to ensure that women are given appropriate advice while awaiting further assessment. The mainstay of diagnosis of EP is by transvaginal ultrasound supported by serial serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) measurements. Surgery is the main treatment in women who become acutely unwell, and in those where medical management is not likely to work or is no longer working. Otherwise, tubal EP may be managed with medical management (methotrexate) and in selected cases, expectant management. There is a lack of good quality evidence on the management of non-tubal EP and these are best managed on an individual basis.     

Ectopic pregnancy

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the United States has been reported to be as high as 20 per 1000 pregnancies, a more than 4-fold increase over the last 20 years. Clinical presentation can range from subtle, nonspecific abdominal complaints to acute onset pain or hemorrhagic bleeding. This article reviews the associated risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of ectopic pregnancy. Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion whenever women who might be pregnant have abdominal complaints.     

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) occurs in 1–2% of pregnancies, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Women with abdominal pain or vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy, or risk factors for EP, are generally assessed by Early Pregnancy Assessment Units. Diagnosis is predominantly by trans-vaginal ultrasound supported by quantified serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG). The resolution limit of trans-vaginal ultrasound means not all EPs can be identified, leaving women with a ‘Pregnancy of Unknown Location’. Management for EP has moved away from surgery with growing experience in medical management, and evidence-based recognition of expectant management for selected women. Surgery will always have a role in the management of women with EP who are acutely unwell, when medical management is not likely to work, or has failed. On-going areas of research include improvements in women's risk stratification at their first attendance with symptoms, shortening time until diagnosis of EP, and combination medical treatments.     

Ectopic pregnancy

The diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy has become precise and reliable. Consequently, the management of ectopic pregnancy has progressed to the point where the physician is often able to preserve fertility. Therefore, conservative surgery is indicated if the patient desires future fertility and conditions are appropriate. The combination of ultrasound, beta-hCG pregnancy testing, and laparoscopy has led to a rising incidence of diagnosed ectopic pregnancy prior to rupture. This has greatly facilitated the use of the conservative approach to the management of tubal pregnancy. Although ectopic pregnancy can be diagnosed early and managed conservatively, it is, and will remain a potentially life-threatening disease and must be approached as such. Table 3 summarizes our proposed surgical management of tubal pregnancy. Table 4 summarizes the results of conservative surgery for tubal pregnancy.     

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is a major gynecologic emergency, which results in significant morbidity for the mother and inevitable loss of the pregnancy. Its presentation can be varied from minor symptoms to sudden collapse. It produces a diagnostic dilemma and a management problem. With advances in medical care, most women survive ectopic pregnancy and many will be diagnosed early enough to allow conservative management with the resulting lower morbidity and possible anatomic conservation. This article covers what is currently known about the etiology of this condition, the best approach to the diagnoses and management and the long-term consequences for the women concerned.     

Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic Pregnancy (EP) occurs in around 1–2% of all pregnancies, and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Over 98% implant in the Fallopian tube. The mainstay of diagnosis is by transvaginal ultrasound supported by serial serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) measurements. Management of tubal EP has moved away from surgery with growing experience with medical (methotrexate) and expectant management for selected women. Surgery will always have a role in the management of women with EP who are acutely unwell or where medical management is unlikely to be, or has already been unsuccessful. Ultrasound diagnostic criteria for non-tubal EP have been established and these cases are best managed on an individual basis. Future areas of improvement include the critical need to teach healthcare professionals to consider pregnancy related causes of collapse in all women of reproductive age.     

Ectopic pregnancy. An eight-year review.

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy constitutes a major gynecologic emergency that may result in death. From January 1968 through December 1975, 313 patients with ectopic pregnancy were treated at Chicago Lying-In Hospital. The historical and physical findings, diagnostic procedures, causative factors and patient management are reviewed and discussed. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and amenorrhea. More than half the patients were misdiagnosed prior to admission. Only 30% had distinct adnexal masses. The treatment of choice was salpingectomy unless the opposite tube was absent or damaged. Three deaths occurred in this series. Only 31% of the patients gave histopathologic evidence of pelvic inflammatory disease.