Ectopic pregnancy: a 15-year review of 160 cases

Abstract

Our review of the incidence of ectopic pregnancy in metropolitan Oklahoma City hospitals from 1960 through 1975 revealed an overall statistically significant increase. Review of the incidence of gonorrhea during the same period for the State of Oklahoma also showed a statistically significant increase. There was a significant correlation between the incidence of ectopic pregnancy and the incidence of gonorrhea. The 160 cases of ectopic pregnancy from University Hospital reviewed in detail included all ectopic pregnancies admitted from 1960 to 1975. Findings revealed 56% were white women with an average age of 26.8 years and average parity of 2.49. Pain (97.5%), amenorrhea (83%), and abnormal uterine bleeding (68%) were the most common presenting complaints, while abdominal tenderness (85%) and pelvic mass (54%) were the common physical findings. Culdocentesis was positive in 78% of the patients. Thirty-nine percent had a history of pelvic inflammatory disease and 8% a previous ectopic pregnancy. Admission diagnosis was correct in 67%. Unilateral adnexal procedure was the treatment in 81%. Fifty-seven percent of the ectopic pregnancies were right-sided, and hemoperitoneum averaged 950 ml. Postoperative complication rate was 55%. Follow-up pregnancy rate was 50%, and future ectopic pregnancies occurred in 6% of these.