A review of ectopic pregnancies in Southern Tasmania

Over the 10-year period 1968-1977, 131 patients with ectopic pregnancy were treated at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The clinical features of these patients are discussed. Using data on the number of ectopic pregnancies confirmed in Southern Tasmania in the period 1973-1977, it was shown that in terms of the ratio of ectopic pregnancies to total births, the incidence of ectopic gestation in the essentially stable population has risen from 1:130 to 1:72; possible reasons for this increase are discussed. The difficulty in diagnosis of the condition is emphasised.