Ruptured heterotopic pregnancy: an unusual presentation of an uncommon clinical problem

A 30-year-old nulliparous lady presented to our Emergency Gynaecology Service with a 3-day history of epigastric pain and vomiting at 7 weeks of gestation. An intrauterine pregnancy had been confirmed 3 days earlier when she had attended with an episode of left-iliac fossa pain. Unfortunately, she became more unwell within 1 h of admission and as the cause of her symptoms was unclear, she was taken to the theatre for a joint gynaecology and general surgical diagnostic laparoscopy. This revealed a haemoperitoneum of 2 litres and a ruptured ectopic pregnancy in her left fallopian tube. A left salpingectomy was undertaken to remove the ectopic pregnancy. The patient made an excellent recovery and delivered a healthy baby at 39 weeks of gestation without further complication.