2. Ectopic Pregnancy
Occurs when the conceptus
implants either outside the uterus
(Fallopian tube, ovary or abdominal
cavity) or in an abnormal position
within the uterus (cornua cervix).
3. Epidemiology & Risk Factors:
• Between 95% and 98% occur in the
fallopian tube.
• More than 50% of tubal pregnancies are
situated in the ampulla .
• Approximately 20% occur in the isthmus.
• Around 12% are fimbrial.
• Approximately 10% are interstitial.
5. • In theory, any mechanical or functional
factors that prevent or interfere with the
passage of the fertilized egg to the
uterine cavity may be aetiological factors
for an ectopic pregnancy.
• 50% operated for ectopic pregnancy
have evidence of chronic pelvic
inflammatory disease.
9. Vaginal bleeding
- (usually old blood in small
amounts) and chronic pelvic pain (iliac
fossa, sometimes bilateral) are the most
commonly reported symptoms.
10. General Examination
• Shoulder pain which may occur
secondary to blood irritating the
diaphragm and vascular instability
characterized by low blood pressure,
fainting, dizziness and rapid heart rate
may be noted.
• Symptoms are present in about 59% of
patients and most typical patients whose
ectopic pregnancy has ruptured (intra-
abdominal bleeding).
11. Gynaecological Examination
• Speculum or bimanual examination must
be performed in an environment where
facilities for resuscitation are available,
as this examination may provoke the
rupture of the tube.
12. Laparoscopy & Uterine
Curettage
• The mere absence of placental villi in the
curretage does not completely exclude a
diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy because
an ectopic pregnancy in a tube, cornu or
the cervix may partially abort.
13.
14.
15.
16. Human chorionic gonadotrophin
and transvaginal ultrasound
• One of the most important parameters is
the discriminatory hCG level above
which the gestational sac of an
intrauterine pregnancy should be
detectable by ultrasonography (usually
1000iu/L).
• An empty ectopic sac or a hetero genous
adnexal mass is a more common
ultrasound feature.
17. • The presence of fluid in the pouch of
Douglas is a non-specific sign of ectopic
pregnancy.
• 10-20% ectopic pregnancies, a
pseudogestational sac is seen as a
small, centrally located endometrial fluid
collection surrounded by a single
echogenic rim.
• Laparoscopy should be considered in
women with hCG above the
discriminatory level and absence of an
19. • Treating ectopic pregnancy has always
been surgical (salpingectomy or
salpingotomy), either by laparotomy or
laparoscopy.
• Non-surgical (medical) therapeutic
approaches have been introduced, such
as puncture and aspiration of the ectopic
sac, local injections of prostaglandins,
potassium chloride, hyperosmolar
glucose or methotrexate.
