Role of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy

Laparoscopy has a great role in early and effective diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy. This study was carried out to evaluate the feasibility and role of laparoscopy in diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy. This is a prospective observational study conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital from April 2009 to March 2011. All the women who underwent laparoscopy for ectopic pregnancy or diagnosed as ectopic pregnancy during laparoscopy done for other diagnosis were included. Data were collected by interviewing patients, operating surgeons, reviewing charts and operative notes and following up patients. There were 42 cases of ectopic pregnancy during study period, of whom 16 (38.1%) underwent laparoscopy. Preoperative diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was confirmed clinically in 6 (37.5%) patients, who underwent laparoscopy as an operative procedure. In the remaining 6 (37.5%), laparoscopy was performed as a diagnostic procedure as clinical diagnosis was doubtful; two cases of negative laparoscopy was noted. Incidental diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy was made in another 4 (25%) patients who had undergone laparoscopy for other pre operative diagnosis. All the patients were surgically managed by laparoscopy without converting it to laparotomy. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications except for primary port infection in few (25%). Therefore, laparoscopy has a significant role in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy and operative laparoscopy is a safe approach with minimal complications.