Heterotopic pregnancy in a cross border oocyte donation patient: the importance of cooperation between centers

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of tubal heterotopic pregnancy after oocyte donation in a cross border patient.

Design: Case report.

Setting: Private University Clinic, Spain, and Public University Hospital, Italy.

Patient(s): A woman with a tubal heterotopic pregnancy after oocyte donation.

Intervention(s): Oocyte donation and ET (Spain), laparoscopic removal of the tubal heterotopic pregnancy (Italy).

Main outcome measure(s): Diagnosis and treatment of the heterotopic pregnancy.

Result(s): Laparoscopic treatment of the heterotopic pregnancy resulting in a single ongoing intrauterine pregnancy.

Conclusion(s): Cross border reproductive care is increasing in Europe. When patients go back to their respective countries of origin they may not inform their doctors about having undergone fertility treatments abroad. This can lead to a delayed diagnosis in case of complications arising after treatment or during pregnancy. It is of vital importance that clinicians are aware of this possibility to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of potentially fatal situations such as the one described in the present case report.