A ten year survey of 193 ectopic pregnancies.
During the period 1977-86, 193 women underwent surgery for ectopic pregnancy in the Medway Health District.  1 ectopic pregnancy was found for every 233 deliveries, an incidence of 0.43%, with a rising trend.  The most common presenting symptom was abdominal pain (96%) and the most frequent physical finding was abdominal tenderness (91%).  Past histories of appendicectomy (24%), infertility (19%), use of IUD (15%), and pelvic infection (13%) were elicited.  In 95% of the cases, the pregnancy was tubal.  56% of the patients required blood transfusions and there were no maternal deaths.  These findings confirm the rising incidence of ectopic pregnancy.  During the study period, the diagnosis and management of ectopic pregnancy have changed significantly.  The early use of plasma hCG, ultrasonography, and laparoscopy decreases the morbidity and mortality associated with ectopic pregnancy, allowing conservative tubal surgery when indicated.
Dimitry
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D001695:Biology; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003267:Contraception; D019049:Developed Countries; D003933:Diagnosis; D004194:Disease; D004703:Endocrine System; D004724:Endoscopy; D004739:England; D005060:Europe; D005193:Family Planning Services; D006062:Gonadotropins; D006728:Hormones; D015994:Incidence; D007434:Intrauterine Devices; D010535:Laparoscopy; D010808:Physical Examination; D010827:Physiology; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal; D012106:Research; D012107:Research Design; D012816:Signs and Symptoms; D014465:Ultrasonics; D006113:United Kingdom
D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D006062:Gonadotropins; D006728:Hormones
Biology; Contraception; Contraceptive Methods--complications; Developed Countries; Diseases; Endocrine System; Endoscopy; England; Europe; Examinations And Diagnoses; Family Planning; Gonadotropins; Gonadotropins, Chorionic--analysis; Hormones; Incidence; Iud--complications; Laboratory Examinations And Diagnoses; Laparoscopy; Measurement; Northern Europe; Physical Examinations And Diagnoses; Physiology; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy, Ectopic--etiology; Pregnancy, Tubal; Research Methodology; Signs And Symptoms; Ultrasonics; United Kingdom