[Extrauterine pregnancy: epidemiologic, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic aspects. Apropos of 117 cases reviewed between April 1976 and September 1976].

This is a retrospective study carried out on 117 cases of extra-uterine pregnancy that occurred between 1976 and 1983. The authors review the different aspects of the pathological aetiology, the diagnoses, the treatments and the prognoses for this condition. Over all the incidence was 1 in 105 deliveries but this incidence had increased greatly to 1 in 68 in the last two years. The most frequent cause that was found was pelvic inflammatory disease in 42% of cases. 32% were recurrent cases of inflammatory disease and there is a correlation between ectopic pregnancy on the right side and previous appendicectomy. About a quarter of all the patients could have conservative surgery which the follow-up shows does increase the likelihood of fertility but also 37% of these had recurrent ectopic pregnancies. The discussion, which is supported by a review of the recent literature, points out that there is a recrudescence of extra-uterine pregnancy. It also shows how important it is to look out for this condition and what the risks are of conservative surgery. The indication for the latter should take into account many factors including the age, the general condition, the parity, the fertility, the wish for a pregnancy and the state and condition of the tube on each side.