A Unique Presentation of an Ectopic Pregnancy After Appendectomy

Ectopic pregnancies account for the majority of deaths in early pregnancy. A 27-year-old woman with unexplained infertility and a history of an appendectomy was referred to the reproductive endocrinology clinic. She was initially diagnosed with a pregnancy of unknown location and was later found to have an ectopic pregnancy. Final pathology found a surgical staple likely present from a previous appendectomy within the fallopian tube proximal to the ectopic site. The surgical staple is postulated to have entered the tube through ciliary action and caused the ectopic pregnancy. This rare case highlights physicians’ need to carefully monitor and remove visible loose staples after using automated stapling devices.