[Expectative management: a valid option for ectopic pregnancy].

Abstract

Advances in laboratory tests and transvaginal ultrasound have enabled very early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Expectative management has progressively become a real medical option for ectopic pregnancies as an alternative to surgery or medical treatment. The decision to abstain from treatment must be based on very strict criteria: patients with no symptoms, hematosalpinx<3 cm, no hemoperitoneum, hCG level<1000 mUI/ml and decreasing 48 hours later, a progesterone level<10 ng/ml. Regular surveillance until normalization of clinical, ultrasound and biological results is essential. The rate of success, which reaches 90%, clearly justifies this medical option.

• Authors: E Camus, J-S Aucouturier, D Heitz
• Journal: Journal de gynecologie, obstetrique et biologie de la reproduction (J Gynecol Obstet Biol Reprod (Paris)) Vol. 32 Issue 5 Pg. 413-6 (Sep 2003) ISSN: 0368-2315 [Print] France
• Vernacular Title: Place réelle de l'abstention dans le traitement de la grossesse extra-utérine.
• PMID: 13130242 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Chorionic Gonadotropin
• Progesterone

Topics

• Chorionic Gonadotropin (blood)
• Fallopian Tubes
• Female
• Hemoperitoneum
• Humans
• Monitoring, Physiologic
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy, Ectopic (diagnostic imaging, therapy)
• Progesterone (blood)
• Ultrasonography