Management of ectopic pregnancy in a tertiary hospital: a retrospective cohort study

The goal of this study was to manage the treatment modalities of ectopic pregnancy.

This retrospective study included 1,103 women diagnosed and treated for ectopic pregnancy at Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Training and Research Hospital between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. Serial beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-Hcg) measurements and transvaginal ultrasound (TV USG) findings were used to establish the diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy. They were divided into four groups: expectant treatment, single-dose methotrexate, multidose methotrexate, and surgical treatment. All data analyses were performed using SPSS version 24.0. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was used to determine the cut-off for change in beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels between the first and fourth day.

There were significant differences between groups in terms of gestational age and β-hCG changes (p < 0.001). In patients receiving expectant treatment, the decrease in β-hCG values on the fourth day was 35.19%, while patients receiving single-dose methotrexate treatment showed a decrease of 24%. The most common risk factor for ectopic pregnancy was the absence of risk factors. Comparison of the surgical treatment group with the other groups revealed significant differences in terms of the presence of free fluid in the abdomen, the average diameter of the ectopic pregnancy mass, and the presence of fetal cardiac activity. A single dose of methotrexate was effective in patients with β-hCG levels lower than 1,227.5 mIU/ml, with a 68.5% sensitivity and 69.1% specificity.

An increase in gestational age also leads to an increase in β-hCG values and the diameter of the ectopic focus. As the diagnosis period progresses, the need for surgical intervention increases.