The effectiveness of non-surgical management of early interstitial pregnancy: a report of ten cases and review of the literature

Abstract

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of non-surgical management of interstitial pregnancy.

Design: A prospective interventional study.

Subjects: Eleven women with the ultrasound diagnosis of interstitial ectopic pregnancy.

Methods: Women with suspected early pregnancy complications were examined by transvaginal ultrasound. Those with the diagnosis of interstitial pregnancy were offered non-surgical treatment with methotrexate, which was administered systemically or by local injection. Follow-up with regular measurements of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin and ultrasound scans continued until the pregnancy had resolved completely.

Results: Ten women were managed non-surgically, and one woman opted for surgery. Five women received systemic and five local methotrexate. Local therapy was successful in all five cases (100%), whereas four out of five (80%) women receiving systemic methotrexate were cured. Significant side-effects were noted in two women following systemic therapy. In comparison, there were no side-effects in the group of women who received local therapy. There were no significant differences between the two treatment groups in the length of time taken for the pregnancy to resolve.

Conclusions: Non-surgical treatment of interstitial pregnancy with methotrexate appears to be safe and effective. Local administration appears to be more successful and better tolerated by patients and may be used as the first-line therapy.