[Ectopic pregnancy: changes in diagnostic procedures? (author's transl)]

Patients with ectopic pregnancy and those suspected having ectopic pregnancy were reviewed in a twenty years interval (1957-59, 1977-79). These patients were evaluated with regard to medical history, clinical and laboratory findings, diagnostic procedures, and clinical course. The diagnostic usefulness of symptoms and diagnostic procedures is expressed in terms of sensitivity and specificity. According to our results laparoscopy is an ideal procedure for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Nevertheless, puncture of the Douglas pouch in our experience has its place as a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy.