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

BACKGROUND: It is uncommon to find ampullary tubal pregnancy in the second trimester. METHODS: A 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. RESULTS: The 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. CONCLUSION: The 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.