[Tubal abnormalities: predisposing factor for extrauterine pregnancy in in-vitro fertilization].

OBJECTIVE

Determination of the difference in percentages of ectopic pregnancies in patients with and without tubal pathology after in-vitro fertilisation and consequences for prevention.

SETTING

Thirteen IVF clinics in the Netherlands.

METHOD

The clinics submitted data on clinical and ectopic pregnancies and the indication for IVF from the years 1990 and 1991.

RESULTS

The indication in 1075 cases of IVF-clinical pregnancies was a tubal factor and in 990 cases of IVF-clinical pregnancies another (non-tubal) factor. Percentages of ectopic pregnancies in these groups were 4.5 and 1.1 respectively (significant difference: relative risk: 4.02; 95% confidence interval: 2.10-7.69). One case of heterotopic pregnancy had occurred. No particular type of tubal pathology with high risk for ectopic pregnancy could be identified.

CONCLUSION

Preventive salpingectomy before the IVF procedure in patients with a tubal factor is not justified.