Management of interstitial ectopic pregnancies with a combined intra-amniotic and systemic approach

Obstet Gynecol. 2013 Aug;122(2 Pt 2):461-464. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0b013e31828d58ee.

Abstract

Background: Approximately 2% of all pregnancies are ectopic; of these, 4% are interstitial or cervical. There exists no clear consensus as to whether surgical or medical management is superior.

Case: We present three cases of advanced nonfallopian tube ectopic pregnancies from 6 to 8 weeks of gestation. Our first two cases were managed with a combined intrafetal, intra-amniotic and systemic approach using methotrexate and potassium chloride, whereas our third case was managed with an intra-amniotic approach alone. Our combined approach cases were successful, with resolution of human chorionic gonadotropin in 50 and 34 days, whereas our single approach case re-presented with bleeding requiring uterine artery embolization and operative removal of products of conception.

Conclusion: Patients presenting with advanced interstitial or cervical pregnancies who are clinically stable can be offered medical management with a combined approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / administration & dosage*
  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / administration & dosage*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Potassium Chloride / therapeutic use
  • Potassium Compounds / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / drug therapy*
  • Uterine Artery Embolization
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Uterine Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Chorionic Gonadotropin
  • Potassium Compounds
  • potassium cardioplegic solution
  • Potassium Chloride
  • Methotrexate