Interstitial pregnancy: A retrospective case series of surgically managed patients over a ten-year period.

Abstract

Aims: To describe the ultrasound diagnostic features and surgical management procedures for patients with an interstitial ectopic pregnancy in our tertiary institution and associated peripheral hospital over a ten-year period.

Methods: A retrospective audit of all surgically managed cases of interstitial pregnancies over a ten-year period at a tertiary hospital and one associated peripheral hospital in New South Wales.

Results: Sixteen cases of surgically managed interstitial pregnancy were identified. In 43.8% of these cases, patients had previously undergone an ipsilateral salpingectomy. No cases required hysterectomy, post-operative methotrexate or return to theatre. Ten patients underwent diagnostic ultrasound prior to operative management, seven of which were correctly identified to be an interstitial ectopic pregnancy at the time. The proportion of cornuostomies being performed for interstitial pregnancy compared to wedge resection has increased over the period of this review from 33 to 60% between the two five-year periods.

Conclusion: The combination of expert ultrasound and sophisticated laparoscopic techniques at our institution has facilitated earlier diagnosis and greater use of minimally invasive management of interstitial pregnancy.