[Changes in the diagnosis and therapy of extrauterine pregnancy]

In a retrospective study the records of all patients with proven ectopic pregnancy during the years 1971-1973 (n = 41) and 1981-1982 (n = 59) were reviewed with regard to age, symptoms, medical history, diagnostic methods, therapy, and clinical course. Particular attention was given to endocrine diagnostic methods (LH, beta-HCG), ultrasound examinations, and changes in operative therapy. The duration from admission to diagnosis of the ectopic pregnancy decreased from 5.6 to 3.3 days, circulatory shock from 32 to 10%. During 1971-1973 the fallopian tube was removed in 95%, during the years 1981-1982 only in 34%. Our study shows that modern diagnostic methods permit earlier diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, and that in the majority of cases the removal of the fallopian tube is not necessary.