Operative laparoscopy versus laparotomy for the management of ectopic pregnancy: a prospective trial.
OBJECTIVE
To compare prospectively operative laparoscopy to laparotomy in the management of hemodynamically stable patients with ectopic pregnancy (EP). DESIGN, PATIENTS, Intervention: Patients with suspected EP presenting to a university-based residency teaching program were prospectively allocated to laparoscopy (n = 26) or laparotomy (n = 37) on alternating months for operative management.


RESULTS
Operative times between laparoscopy and laparotomy did not differ significantly. Laparoscopy-treated patients had a significant reduction in estimated intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay, narcotic requirement, time to normal activity, and total hospital cost. There was no statistical difference in intrauterine pregnancy rates or in EP rates.


CONCLUSIONS
In a university-based residency program, operative laparoscopy is a safe alternative for the management of appropriately selected patients with suspected EP.
Murphy
A A
AA
Department of Reproductive Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla.
Nager
C W
CW
Wujek
J J
JJ
Kettel
L M
LM
Torp
V A
VA
Chin
H G
HG
D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies