Abdominal paracentesis in the diagnosis of ruptured ectopic pregnancy

A prospective study of the use of abdominal paracentesis in the diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancy was carried out. Paracentesis was performed in 189 patients, of whom 132 were subsequently shown to have ectopic pregnancies. Paracentesis confirmed the diagnosis in 90,9% of cases, but when this was corrected to exclude cases where no intraperitoneal haemorrhage was present, the success rate rose to 96,3%. We believe that this simple, harmless, bedside procedure has value in aiding and confirming the diagnosis of ruptured ectopic pregnancy.