An analysis of tubal ectopic pregnancy in a rural tertiary care hospital in India: a retrospective study

ABSTRACT

Background: The objective of this study was to analyse distribution of predisposing risk factors for ectopic pregnancy and to study the various modalities of management instituted along with surgical characteristics.Methods: This is a retrospective data analysis of tubal ectopic pregnancies (EP) managed in a tertiary rural referral centre over three years.Results: A total of 160 women were managed for tubal EP. Majority of the women belonged to the age group of 21-30 years (73%). Multigravidae constituted 71.3% of the women and overall, 90.6% women conceived spontaneously. History of ovulation induction was present in 3.7% of women, IUI in 1.2% and IVF in 4.4%. Risk factors encountered in the study include previous EP (9.4%), history of tubal sterilisation (6.9%), caesarean section (13.1%), PID (7.5%), miscarriage (25%), tubal recanalization (3.7%). Conservative management was instituted in 16.8%. Amongst the women managed surgically, 67.5% underwent laparotomy with the remaining being managed laparoscopically. Of the surgically managed patients 72.9% had ruptured EP. There was a predominance of right sided ectopic in our study (79%) and ampullary region of the fallopian tube was the most common site of tubal EP (81.2%). The most common procedure performed was total salpingectomy (56.4%). Supportive treatment with blood transfusion was required amongst 18.8% of the women who had EP. In the postoperative period, fever was noted in 13.5% of women and 2.5% needed intensive care unit admission for hemodynamic stabilisation. The incidence of wound discharge was 12% of women who underwent surgery.Conclusions: This study underpins the importance of early diagnosis, appropriate clinical managementwith timely intervention to improve outcomes associated with EP and to prevent severe morbidity and mortality.