Nonsurgical Treatment of Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract

In the United States, the annual incidence of ectopic pregnancy increased from 0.37 percent of pregnancies in 1948 to 1.97 percent in 1992.¹ Despite the continued increase in incidence, the rate of death from ectopic pregnancy declined almost 90 percent from 1979 to 1992.² This decrease is primarily the result of earlier diagnosis, before tubal rupture. Earlier diagnosis is made possible by the availability of sensitive and specific radioimmunoassays for human chorionic gonadotropin, serum progesterone screening, high-resolution transvaginal ultrasonography, and laparoscopy. The earlier diagnosis of unruptured ectopic pregnancy also allows the use of more conservative treatment options that preserve the . . .