Ectopic tubal pregnancy in Zimbabwe

A study of 441 ectopic tubal pregnancies treated at Harare Central Hospital between 1981-84 was carried out. During that time, there were 162,964 deliveries in the unit. The incidence of tubal pregnancy in this study was only 0.27%. Patients ranged in age from 13-46 years with the majority (67%) between ages 20-29. 88% of the patients were parous, the mean parity being 2.6 96% of the patients complained of abdominal pain, 78% of amenorrhea, and 64% of abnormal uterine bleeding. Abdominal tenderness (96%) and cervical excitation (91%) were the most significant signs. Paracentesis was positive in 78% of the cases. It was a little value in the diagnosis of chronic or unruptured tubal pregnancy. There was 1 maternal death.