title: Laparoscopic management of tubal ectopic pregnancy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the surgical morbidity associated with laparoscopic management of tubal ectopic pregnancy compared with that of open laparotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study in an academic tertiary obstetrics and gynecology referral center was conducted from 2005 through 2007. Forty-nine patients who had pathology-confirmed tubal ectopic pregnancies were divided into 2 groups, laparoscopy (n=38) and laparotomy (n=11). The main outcome measures included operative time, blood loss, and complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant differences existed in gestational age, beta-hCG level, history of previous surgeries, pelvic inflammatory disease, or endometriosis. The laparotomy group included more patients with a history of previous ectopic pregnancy. The length of hospital stay following laparoscopic management was significantly less than that in the laparotomy group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy can be the most beneficial procedure with maximum safety and efficacy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan, ROC. dah1003@yahoo.com.tw
authors.forename: Dah-Ching
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Ding
authors.forename: Tang-Yuan
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Sheng-Po
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Kao
authors.forename: Pao-Chu
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Chi
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wei