title: Is serum human chorionic gonadotrophin follow-up necessary after suspected spillage of trophoblast at the time of laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Persistent trophoblast is a recognised complication of salpingostomy for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy, with reported rates of 3-20%; hence, women are advised to have serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) levels monitored post-operatively. Although much less common, there are also reports of disseminated trophoblastic peritoneal implants after laparoscopic salpingectomy. The aim of this study was to assess whether monitoring of post-operative serum hCG levels is necessary in women undergoing salpingectomy, where intra-operative spillage of trophoblast is thought to have occurred.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective study of women who underwent serum hCG follow-up after salpingectomy. Serum hCG levels were monitored if: (1) the ectopic pregnancy was found to be ruptured; (2) there was a significant haemoperitoneum (>500 ml); (3) there was thought to be spillage of trophoblast at the time of salpingectomy or (4) a tubal miscarriage was diagnosed. Serum hCG levels were taken at days 1-2, days 3-4, days 6-8 or days 13-15 post-surgery. Women were followed up until the serum hCG level was <15 IU/l. Persistent trophoblast was defined as a failure of the serum hCG level to decrease spontaneously after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  105 women underwent serum hCG follow-up after a laparoscopy for a tubal ectopic pregnancy. Of these women, 92 had a laparoscopic salpingectomy and 13 were diagnosed with a tubal miscarriage at the time of laparoscopy. In all women the serum hCG decreased spontaneously.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It does not appear necessary to routinely monitor serum hCG levels post-operatively in women diagnosed with tubal miscarriages, in those undergoing salpingectomy for a ruptured ectopic pregnancy or in cases of salpingectomy, where there is thought to be spillage of trophoblast.
authors.affiliation: Early Pregnancy and Gynaecological Ultrasound Unit, St George's, University of London, London, UK. SBora @ doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Shabana A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Bora
authors.forename: Emma
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: Anneleen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Daemen
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Timmerman
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bourne
mesh_terms: D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011274:Pregnancy, Tubal / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D058994:Salpingectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D012489:Salpingostomy; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin