[Fertility after laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy in a series of 138 patients].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate fertility after laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP). To investigate factors influencing fertility and EP recurrence.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective study of a series of 138 patients. Rate of intra uterine pregnancy, live births and recurrent EP were the main outcome measures. Subsequent fertility was assessed by calculating cumulative intrauterine pregnancy rates and were analyzed by log-rank tests and Cox regression.

RESULTS

The multivariate analysis showed a better rate of intra uterine pregnancy in patients with normal controlateral tube and in women younger than 30. The average time before conception was 11.5 months. After 18 months of infertility the intra-uterine pregnancy rate was low but the EP recurrence rate increased after 24 months. In this study there was no difference between radical and conservative surgery treatment.

CONCLUSION

Laparoscopy is useful in the management of ectopic pregnancy, especially in order to establish a prognosis for fertility.