Ectopic pregnancy. An eight-year review

Ruptured ectopic pregnancy constitutes a major gynecologic emergency that may result in death. From January 1968 through December 1975, 313 patients with ectopic pregnancy were treated at Chicago Lying-In Hospital. The historical and physical findings, diagnostic procedures, causative factors and patient management are reviewed and discussed. The most common symptoms were abdominal pain and amenorrhea. More than half the patients were misdiagnosed prior to admission. Only 30% had distinct adnexal masses. The treatment of choice was salpingectomy unless the opposite tube was absent or damaged. Three deaths occurred in this series. Only 31% of the patients gave histopathologic evidence of pelvic inflammatory disease.