Successful laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy in a district general hospital

A retrospective analysis of the management of ectopic pregnancy was undertaken at Billinge Hospital, Wigan from June 1999 to June 2002. A total of 114 cases of ectopic pregnancy were identified. Diagnosis was usually confirmed by laparoscopy (89.4%) and 102 cases (82.4%) were managed by laparoscopic salpingectomy. A total of 7.08% of patients needed a laparotomy after the initial laparoscopy and two (1.75%) had laparotomy performed as the primary approach. Medical treatment was given to eight women (7.0%). All the consultants were competent in performing laparoscopic surgery and 71.3% of cases were performed laparoscopically by a consultant. The diagnostic accuracy was high using a combination of urine pregnancy tests, serum beta-hCG and transvaginal scan.