Laparoscopic Management of Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy

OBJECTIVES: To study the surgical morbidity associated with laparoscopic management of tubal ectopic pregnancy compared with that of open laparotomy. METHODS: A retrospective study in an academic tertiary obstetrics and gynecology referral center was conducted from 2005 through 2007. Forty-nine patients who had pathology-confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancies were divided into 2 groups, laparoscopy (n=38) and laparotomy (n=11). The main outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, and complications. RESULTS: No significant differences existed in gestational age, beta-hCG level, history of previous surgeries, pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis. The laparotomy group included more patients with a history of previous ectopic pregnancy. The length of hospital stay following laparoscopic management was significantly less than that in the laparotomy group. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy can be the most beneficial procedure with maximum safety and efficacy.