Ectopic pregnancy - a comparision of treatment methods in terms of effectiveness and impact on fertility

The aim of this study was to compare the available methods of treating a pregnancy located in the fallopian tube with regard to their efficacy and impact on patient fertility.

The retrospective study involved a total of 217 patients treated at the Department of Fetal Medicine and Gynaecology at the Medical University of Lodz between 2018 and 2023. Medical records were analysed and a telephone survey was carried out to assess the follow-up of patients after discharge from the Department.

84% of patients were qualified for surgical treatment achieving a combined success rate of both methods (salpingotomy and salpingectomy) close to 100%. No positive effect on fertility of preserving the fallopian tube after pregnancy termination compared to removal of the fallopian tube was observed. The method with the highest risk of recurrent fallopian tube pregnancy was salpingotomy.

The results of this study show surgical treatment as the option for the treatment of pregnancy located in the fallopian tube. Appropriate qualification of patients allows to choose optimal therapeutic strategy. A positive effect on further fertility of the salpingotomy strategy compared to salpingectomy has not been demonstrated.