[Drug therapy of extrauterine pregnancy]

Nowadays, ectopic pregnancy is often diagnosed in an intact unruptured condition. This has stimulated various investigators to attempt nonsurgical methods of therapy. Under laparoscopic or ultrasonographic guidance, local injection of methotrexate, prostaglandins, hyperosmolar glucose, potassium chloride or RU 486 are employed. These preparations are also administered systemically. Taking into account specific criteria, most of these nonsurgical measures are comparable with conservative surgical methods. Expectant management proved to be equally successful. The most important prerequisite for nonsurgical therapy of ectopic pregnancy is careful selection.