title: Methotrexate injection of tubal ectopic pregnancy. A logical evolution?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the efficacy and possible side effects of a single 20 mg dose of methotrexate injected at the time of laparoscopy, in the treatment of tubal ectopic pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a non-randomised non-blinded prospective clinical trial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was carried out at two tertiary referral hospitals.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen patients with unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancies and in a stable haemodynamic condition were offered entry into the study and all of these agreed.
  
  
  METHODS
  At diagnostic laparoscopy, 20 mg of methotrexate in 0.8 mL was injected by fine needle in or around the ectopic gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were followed up as outpatients by serial blood tests until resolution of the ectopic pregnancy was demonstrated by a return of the level of beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin to the normal range.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was one failure of treatment. The ectopic pregnancy resolved in the remaining 17 patients. There were no side effects attributable to methotrexate and tubal patency was demonstrated in the eight patients tested by hysterosalpingography.
authors.affiliation: King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Subiaco, WA.
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: O'Shea
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Seman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D008727:Methotrexate