Right ectopic gestation following in vitro fertilisation: case report

Abstract

The management of ectopic gestation has in recent years transformed from the normally accepted laparotomy to the laparoscopic approach. The objective of this case report is to describe a rare occurrence of an ectopic gestation following in vitro fertilisation procedure. A 35-year-old para 0 + 0, presented with lower abdominal pain and per vaginal bleeding six weeks after an in vitro fertilisation was done in South Africa. The patient was admitted with severe lower abdominal pain and per vaginal bleeding at six weeks gestation following an in vitro fertilisation procedure. She had undergone an “evacuation” one-week prior to this episode due to an initial diagnosis of an incomplete abortion. No chorionic villi were reported on histology. The repeat serum BhCG was 777miμ/l and at laparoscopy a right unruptured ampullary ectopic gestation (4 cms in size) was evident. A right linear salpingostomy was subsequently performed laparoscopically. Histology confirmed the presence of tubal chorionic villi. The laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancies is now regarded as the gold standard in many centres in the world. In this patient the ectopic pregnancy resulted following an intra-uterine zygote transfer, and was managed successfully.

East African Medical Journal Vol. 83(6) 2006: 341-345