Management outcomes of ectopic pregnancy depending on different treatment modalities: a cohort study

Abstract

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is the most common cause of maternal morbidity and mortality during the first trimester of pregnancy. The present study aimed to review and evaluate the management outcomes of ectopic pregnancy in Damascus University Maternity Hospital, Syria.Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed on women referring to Damascus University Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN) for ectopic pregnancy. Patients were assigned into groups by method of treatment: expectant management (Group 1), single-dose methotrexate regimen (Group 2), two-dose methotrexate regimen (Group 3), and surgical intervention (Group 4). Parameters assessed were risk factors for ectopic pregnancies, transvaginal ultrasonography findings, serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels on Days 0, 4, 7, and types of surgical intervention in women that underwent any surgical intervention. A treatment modality was considered successful when hCG levels declined to less than 5 mIU/L without further administration of methotrexate dose or need for surgery.Results: Seventy-seven women with ectopic pregnancy were admitted to the hospital during the study period. Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4 constituted 20.8%, 13.0%, 6.5% and 59.7% of the patients respectively. The most common encountered risk factors for ectopic pregnancy in the patients were history of previous intra-abdominal or pelvic surgery (57.1%) and history of miscarriage (41.6%). A statistically significant difference in the serum hCG concentrations measured on day 0, day 4, and day 7 were observed between the groups.Conclusions: The success rate in ectopic pregnancy treatment was 56.25% for the expectant management, 70% for the single-dose methotrexate regimen, and 40% for two-dose methotrexate regimen.