Treatment of ectopic tubal pregnancies by laparoscopy

Laparoscopy as an aid to the diagnosis of ectopic tubal pregnancy has been widely accepted for several years. As a natural evolution of surgical skills, combined diagnosis and treatment of ectopic tubal pregnancy was carried out laparoscopically in nine patients in whom the diagnosis was suspected. All nine procedures were completed successfully. Intravenous sedation was used in three women and general anesthesia in six. The average hospital stay was 1.5 days, with one patient discharged on the day of surgery; one woman was hospitalized for 6 days due to symptomatic anemia. Surgical specimens were removed successfully in six patients, and the diagnosis confirmed histologically. In no instance where the specimen was left in the cul-de-sac did complications result. No complications were attributable to the procedure. The technique is safe and effective when performed by an experienced laparoscopist, and when provisions for immediate laparotomy are available. It should be noted that this procedure is not intended for patients with massive intraperitoneal bleeding or shock.