title: Culdocentesis is an obsolete diagnostic tool in suspected ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: We studied 332 patients with proven pregnancies. Prediction of hemoperitoneum by assessment of the Douglas pouch during bimanual examination had a false negative rate of 42.1%. The false negative rate for culdocentesis was 14.8%. It is therefore concluded that culdocentesis is not a useful tool in the diagnosis of suspected ectopic pregnancies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Soroka University Hospital, Beer Sheba, Israel.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Glezerman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Press
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carpman
mesh_terms: D020683:Culdoscopes; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous