[Change in diagnosis and therapy of extrauterine pregnancy in the last 4 decades].

2 groups of patients with ectopic pregnancy (376 cases from 1947 to 1966 and 81 from 1982 to 1988) are compared. The importance of evaluation of HCG, sonography and pelviscopy, which was only available in the 2nd group, is pointed out. The morbidity by collapse of circulation could be improved. Sonography and beta-HCG serum levels each are quite sensitive but not very specific. Together they give good information. The highest specificity shows the pelviscopy, but it is an invasive method and requires anesthesia. By early diagnosis of the ectopic pregnancy in the 2nd group 50% of the patients could be treated by an operation with conservative of the fallopian tube.