Ectopic pregnancy: a statistical review of 360 cases

In a statistical analysis of 360 cases of ectopic pregnancy admitted to the Montreal General Hospital over a 20-year period ending December 1964, ectopic gestation occurred once in every 83 admissions to the gynecological service. This incidence has remained constant over the years. Only one out of four patients had had more than one child and 30% of the patients had absolute or relative infertility. Diagnosis was delayed or not made in 58 patients. There was evidence that neurogenic factors play a role in the etiology of ectopic gestation. Ten per cent of the patients had had a previous operation for the same condition. Symptomatology is variable and the possibility of ectopic pregnancy must never be overlooked in a woman of child-bearing age. Once the diagnosis is made the treatment is early operation. The morbidity rate in this series was 28% and there was one death.