Ectopic Pregnancy : A Prospective Descriptive Study of 376 Cases

Abstract

This is a prospective study of 376 consecutive cases of ectopic pregnancies at Chiang Mai University Hospital from June 1988 to August 1992. The incidence was 12.5 per 1,000 live births. Common presenting symptoms were abdominal pain (98.4%), amenorrhea (83%) and vaginal bleeding (67.3%). Pelvic examination revealed enlarged uterus in 47.2%, adnexal mass in 42.2% and bulging cul-de-sac in 47.2%. Urine pregnancy and serum B-hCG tests were positive in 66% and 99.2% respectively. 

The most common site of tubal pregnancy was ampulla, followed by isthmus, fimbria and interstitial. Tubal rupture was found in 52%. More than half had normal pelvis; 31.7% had peritubal or pelvic adhesion. Salpingectomy was performed in 76.6% and salpingo-oophorectomy in 10%. Incidental appendectomy was done in 27.9% without any increase in morbidity. Literature on ectopic pregnancies was briefly reviewed. (Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 1995;7:95-104)