Laparoscopic management of tubal ectopic pregnancies--the Irish experience

Ectopic pregnancies are being dealt with increasingly via the laparoscope on account of several advantages over conventional surgery. We commenced a Laparoscopic Ectopic service at the National Maternity Hospital in November 1995. This paper reviews the first 8 months of the service and is the first series of its kind in Ireland. All confirmed Ectopic pregnancies (EPs) between November 1995 and June 1996 are included in the study. Demographic details, diagnosis, operative details, analgesic requirements and outcome are reviewed. There were 56 tubal EPs giving an incidence of 1 per 81 live births. 35 were managed laparoscopically and were noted to have lower morbidity, analgesic requirement, reduced convalescence, shorter inpatient stay and thus lower cost. We have shown that EPs can be managed successfully via minimal access surgery in an Irish setting. In fact 22 of the last 24 cases of EPs were managed via the laparoscope.