Setting priorities in the conventional approaches in managing ectopic pregnancy; is it time to reform? A teaching hospital experience

Abstract

The aim of the study: To review the management approaches of ectopic pregnancy (EP) at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Jordan University Hospital (JUH).

Material and methods: All patients admitted to our department with the diagnosis of EP treated during the study period extending from January 2017 to June 2019. Data were collected retrospectively using the patients' files anonymously. Main outcome measures: age, parity, ectopic site, presentation, the main risk factor/s and the management plan.

Results: In total, 65 cases of EP were managed during the study period. Overall, the mean age was 30 years. EP was located in the right tube in 23 cases, and in the left tube in 14 cases. Eleven patients presented with acute abdomen due to rupture of the EP and underwent urgent laparotomy; 7 of these cases were located on the right side. Conservative surgery (laparoscopy versus laparotomy) was the main line of management with attention to preserving the tube patency, followed by medical therapy when the patient fulfilled the criteria or those with pregnancy of unknown location.

Conclusions: EP is a life-threatening condition. It is time to reform the priorities in the conventional approach to management. Every effort ought to be applied to preserve the reproductivity of women who are diagnosed with EP at the JUH. We would suggest that salpingostomy needs to be considered the surgical treatment of choice for the majority of these cases.

Keywords: ectopic pregnancy; pregnancy of unknown location; salpingostomy.