Combined local and systemic methotrexate treatment of viable ectopic pregnancy: outcomes of 31 cases.
OBJECTIVE
Medical treatment of viable unruptured ectopic pregnancies by systemic methotrexate (MTX) is controversial due to elevated failure rates. This study describes a combined local and systemic MTX administration and compares the outcomes between viable ectopics in different locations.


METHODS
This retrospective study evaluated 31 patients treated with combined local (sonographically guided) and systemic MTX for viable, unruptured ectopic pregnancies. Success was defined by pregnancy resolution without surgical intervention. Details on subsequent pregnancies were obtained via telephone questionnaires.


RESULTS
The ectopic pregnancies were located in the fallopian tube (n = 23), cesarean section scar (n = 5), and intramural portion of the tube (interstitial pregnancy) (n = 3). beta-Human chorionic gonadotropin levels and gestational weeks were similar. The combined treatment was successful in 73.9%, 100%, and 66.7% of cases, respectively (p > 0.05). Details regarding reproductive outcomes were available for 28 women (90.3%). Eighteen of the 24 women attempting to conceive became pregnant, and 15 of these had at least one live birth. There were three subsequent tubal pregnancies, all in patients with previous tubal pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Combined MTX administration is effective and safe for treating viable cesarean scar pregnancies but is less successful for viable tubal or interstitial pregnancies. Reproductive outcomes following the combined MTX treatment are comparable to other treatment modalities for ectopic pregnancy.
Smorgick
Noam
N
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assaf Harofe Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Zerifin 70300, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Vaknin
Zvi
Z
Pansky
Moti
M
Halperin
Reuvit
R
Herman
Arie
A
Maymon
Ron
R
D000328:Adult; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011271:Pregnancy, Ectopic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
D019384:Nucleic Acid Synthesis Inhibitors; D008727:Methotrexate