Reproductive Performance after Ectopic Pregnancy

ABSTRACT

Reproductive performance may be an important variable in treatment selection for unruptured ectopic pregnancy. The impact of treatment choice on reproductive performance is not known. We searched the literature and then tabulated published case reports on laparoscopic salpingostomy, multiple-dose methotrexate, single-dose methotrexate, and expectant management. From this analysis, we are unable to conclude any clinically detectable differences in the efficacy of these four most common treatments for unruptured ectopic pregnancy. Even more recent reports using life tables are inconclusive because the studies are not randomized. We conclude that concern for long-term reproductive performance should not be a factor in selecting between any of these four commonly used treatments for unruptured ectopic pregnancy.

KEYWORDS

Ectopic pregnancy - reproductive performance - medical therapy - methotrexate - expectant management - laparoscopy

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