Infraumbilical-ring capillary abdominocentesis in late presentation ectopic pregnancy: a prospective study

Infraumbilical-ring capillary abdominocentesis was compared with culdocentesis in 75 cases of suspected ruptured ectopic pregnancy, with patients serving as their own controls. There were 43 proven ectopic cases and the diagnosis was known in the remaining 32. The accuracy of results was equivalent: P greater than 0.15 for false positives and P greater than 0.63 for false negatives. For combined testing the positive predictive value reached 97%. The new method was easier to perform and should be preferred.