ADVANCED ABDOMINAL PREGNANCY

Abstract Abdominal pregnancy is a very rare obstetric complication which is seriously hazardous to the mother as well as the fetus. It poses a diagnostic challenge to this day. Both maternal and fetal mortality rates in such cases are high, as well as the malformation rate among the affected fetus. The best diagnostic tools are ultrasound and MRI. The availability of these instruments, and especially the latter, is scarce in developing countries, hence the higher rate of this type of pregnancy in these regions. The higher incidence of abdominal pregnancy in developing countries is also associated with the greater prevalence of low socioeconomic status, pelvic infections and infertility - all are more prevalent in these countries. Abdominal pregnancy may be primary - that is fertilization of an ovum in the abdominal cavity, or secondary - re-implantation following tubal abortion, perforation of the uterine wall during curettage or expulsion of pregnancy material through uterine rupture or dehiscence. Heterotopic pregnancies, in which one or both fetuses are found as abdominal pregnancy have been reported. Treatment is surgery. The issue of removing the placenta during the operation is controversial to this day. Treatment of the remaining placenta with methotrexate has recently been abandoned. Lately, conservative treatment by potassium chloride (KCl) injection to the fetal heart by sonographic guidance has been suggested.