Publication:

Ectopic pregnancy: a life threatening gynaecological emergency

Background Ectopic pregnancy is a life-threatening gynecological emergency, and a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality.

Methods This is a retrospective study of ectopic pregnancies managed at M. S. Ramaiah Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore, India over a period of 1 year from March 2015 to March 2016. The medical records of the patients managed for ectopic pregnancy during the period, under review were retrieved and data were collected from registers. There were 30 cases of ectopic pregnancies over one year.

Results Ectopic pregnancy constituted 3% of all gynecological admissions, and its incidence was 2.5%. The mean age of the patients was 26 ± 2 years, 21 of 30 (70%) had ruptured ectopic pregnancies, and the remaining nine (30%) were unruptured. The commonest (20 of 30, 66.6%) clinical presentation was abdominal pain, and the commonest (9 of 30, 30%) identified risk factor was a previous history of induced abortion.

Conclusions Ectopic pregnancy is a recognized cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and has remained a reproductive health challenge to manage.