ABSTRACT
Reproductive performance may be an important variable in treatment selection for unruptured
ectopic pregnancy. The impact of treatment choice on reproductive performance is not
known. We searched the literature and then tabulated published case reports on laparoscopic
salpingostomy, multiple-dose methotrexate, single-dose methotrexate, and expectant
management. From this analysis, we are unable to conclude any clinically detectable
differences in the efficacy of these four most common treatments for unruptured ectopic
pregnancy. Even more recent reports using life tables are inconclusive because the
studies are not randomized. We conclude that concern for long-term reproductive performance
should not be a factor in selecting between any of these four commonly used treatments
for unruptured ectopic pregnancy.
KEYWORDS
Ectopic pregnancy - reproductive performance - medical therapy - methotrexate - expectant
management - laparoscopy
REFERENCES
jbuster@bcm.edu
