Laparoscopic conservative surgery in tubal pregnancy

SummaryA 1-year non-randomized prospective cohort study, commencing in May 1992, compared operative laparoscopy with laparotomy for conservative management of tubal pregnancy. Thirty women underwent conservative surgical treatment: 23 were treated by the laparoscopic technique and seven underwent laparotomy, with treatment allocation depending on the surgical preference and experience of the on-call surgical team. Linear salpingostomy was performed in both groups. There was no difference in mean size and gestational age of the ectopic pregnancy in the two groups. Laparoscopic conservative treatment resulted in shorter operation time, hospitalization and convalescence. There were no immediate or long-term complications in both groups. One case of persistent trophoblastic activity occurred in the laparoscopic group and was managed expectantly with success. To evaluate tubal healing and adhesion formation, 13 women underwent a second-look laparoscopy 3 months later. All the patients had tubal patency and goo...