[Surgical secondary measures in unsuccessful prostaglandin treatment of tubal pregnancy].

As local drug treatment grew more common, the risk of persisting trophoblast remnants increased in tubal pregnancies treated in this way. We studied the secondary surgical measures in 52 patients, who had to undergo surgery for a second time after tubal pregnancy treated with prostaglandins. The indication for revision was arrived at 30 times on the basis of laboratory parameters (increasing or constant beta-HCG) (Group I). Reoperation had to be performed 22 times because of acute clinical symptoms (Group II). Laparotomy was performed 40 times, repelviscopy 12 times. In patients of Group I, the rate of rupture, that, had already occurred at the time of secondary surgery, was significantly smaller (p < 0.0001); in that case secondary surgery was significantly more often successful (p < 0.06) in preserving the tubes. In case of constant beta-HCG values 11 patients (50% of Group II) developed acute symptoms; another 7 patients (31.8%) also had to be reoperated on due to acute complaints, although the values were already clearly reduced. The study proves, that tubal pregnancies can be reoperated with preservation of the tubes even after unsuccessful prostaglandin therapy. The starting position for secondary surgery with preservation of the tubes is much better before acute clinical symptoms occur.