Ectopic pregnancy.

Abstract

This discussion of ectopic pregnancy covers mortality, definition, etiology, diagnosis and management, and contraception. In the 1979-81 "Report on Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in England and Wales," ectopic pregnancy accounted for 11.4% of all maternal deaths. Avoidable factors were found in 64% of deaths from ectopic pregnancy, the most common being delay in diagnosis and operative intervention. Ectopic pregnancy is the implantation of the conceptus outside the uterus or in an abnormal location within the uterus. Tubal gestation invariably has a multifactorial etiology and occurs owing to delay in the transport of the fertilized ovum. Table 1 lists causes. Salpingitis is the main cause of tubal pregnancy and now is considered to be due primarily to chlamydia. The consequences of tubal surgery, for whatever reason, and hormonal treatment also are major etiological factors. Every woman of reproductive age, especially if she has 1 or more etiological factors in her past history, who presents with a history of a missed period and irregular vaginal bleeding or abdominal pain, must be considered to have an ectopic pregnancy until proved otherwise. Diagnosis still is essentially a clinical one. In difficult cases use should be made of radioimmunoassay of beta hCG, ultrasonic scanning, and laparoscopy. In 25% of cases, a correct diagnosis was made only at laparotomy. Culdocentesis and endometrial biopsy are of limited use. In cases of ruptured ectopic pregnancy with circulatory collapse, immediate operative intervention is essential. In regard to contraception, the combined oral contraceptive (OC), in suppressing ovulation and thickening the cervical mucus, has a protective effect. Method failure does not increase the incidence of extrauterline pregnancy above normal. The progestagen-only pill is associated with a small increase in the risk of an initial and recurrent ectopic pregnancy. It does not suppress ovulation and may affect tubal motility, but it can be considered if the combined OC is contraindicated, as it is more advisable than an IUD if ectopic pregnancy is feared. Barrier methods will not affect the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and may protect against pelvic infection. It is still being debated whether the absolute incidence of ectopic pregnancy in IUD users is increased. A woman has a 0.3-5% risk of having a 1st ectopic pregnancy and a 15% chance of having a recurrence when given postcoital contraception. As with barrier methods, there is no effect on the incidence of extrauterine pregnancy with periodic abstinence, but in the case of periodic abstinence there is no protective effect against pelvic infection. Female sterilization does not protect against ectopic pregnancy. Of all failed sterilizations, 12% result in an ectopic pregnancy.