Uncommon Ectopic Pregnancies—Challenges in the Management

Abstract

Background The risk factors for ectopic pregnancy are on the rise. Despite the progress (availability of serum βhCG, USG and MRI), there are diagnostic and therapeutic challenges in the management. Up to 50% of ectopic pregnancies go undetected. Furthermore, cases seen as emergency with hemodynamic instability need urgent intervention with simultaneous arrangement of transport, blood transfusion and at times multidisciplinary team involvement. This is more challenging in a setting where resources are limited. Objective To evaluate the outcome of women presenting with uncommon ectopic pregnancies as life-threatening emergency. Challenges encountered in diagnosis, pre-operative evaluation, decision for surgery and the procedure are presented. Patients and Methods This is a series of twelve cases of uncommon ectopic pregnancies belonging to eight diferent types. These were managed under the frst author during the period 2001 to 2019. Subjects were analyzed retrospectively. Results Diagnostic dilemma was faced in majority of the cases even with the use of ultrasonography. All the conceptions were spontaneous. Emergency surgical interventions were made on the basis of clinical evaluation. Five cases presented with massive hemoperitoneum. Blood transfusion was needed in nine cases. There was no mortality. One woman (case 4), with abdominal pregnancy, went home with a live baby, after the second laparotomy. Conclusion Uncommon ectopic pregnancies are life-threatening conditions. Clinical acumen and an alert mind are of superior value in diagnosis. Investigations are supportive. Early diagnosis and intervention are lifesaving.