Laparoscopic management of a second trimester ruptured spontaneous heterotopic tubal pregnancy mimicking ovarian tumour, a case report

Abstract

Background: Laparoscopic surgery in the second trimester of pregnancy is a high risk and demanding operation. Especially when dealing with adnexal pathology, the surgeon should balance between the effort to establish adequate visualisation of the operating field with minimal uterine manipulation and use of energy application to avoid any potential adverse effects on the intrauterine pregnancy. Objective: The video shows laparoscopic surgery performed in the second trimester of pregnancy and highlights modifications to technique to ensure safety. Materials and Methods: We present a case report of spontaneous heterotopic tubal pregnancy that mimicked an ovarian tumour and was managed surgically with a laparoscopy in the second trimester. During surgery, a previously ruptured left tubal pregnancy (? ectopic) was the cause for a concealed hematoma in the pouch of Douglas, misdiagnosed as ovarian tumour. This is one of the few cases of heterotopic pregnancy treated by laparoscopy in the second trimester of pregnancy. Results: The patient was discharged the day 2 post-operatively, the intrauterine pregnancy progressed, and the patient delivered with a planned caesarean section on the 38th week. Conclusions: Laparoscopic surgery, with adjustments, is a safe and effective method to manage adnexal pathology during a second trimester pregnancy.