The role of laparoscopy in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: a plea for conservative management.
This report evaluates the role of laparoscopy in patients admitted with the diagnosis of "Rule Out Ectopic". There were 186 patients admitted to the Brookdale Hospital Medical Center in the 6-year period 1974-1979 inclusive with a diagnosis of "Rule Out Ectopic" or "Possible Unruptured Ectopic". These patients were all laparoscoped. There were 157 satisfactory and 27 unsatisfactory laparoscopies. There were 71 ectopic pregnancies: 42 ruptured, 25 unruptured. Thirty-six cysts were diagnosed. The value of early laparoscopy is clearly established. Particular emphasis is placed on the diagnosis of the unruptured ectopic so that appropriate conservative management of the tube can be instituted in order to preserve potential reproductive capacity.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D007813:Laparotomy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery