This study analyzed the intraoperative morbidity, postoperative course, postoperative
hospital stay and fertility outcome in 216 consecutive
tubal pregnancies treated with either laparoscopy (n = 98) or
laparotomy (n = 118). Among the 98 cases treated with laparoscopy, the procedure was successfully completed in 95 (97%). In three cases
laparotomy had to be performed to conclude the procedure. Retained trophoblast was observed in 3.8% of cases treated conservatively with laparoscopy and 1.3% of cases treated conservatively with
laparotomy (P greater than .05). The total
anesthesia time, amount of postoperative
analgesia required and postoperative
hospital stay were significantly less in cases treated with laparoscopy (P less than .001). The subsequent fertility outcome was similar in both groups. Laparoscopic treatment of
tubal pregnancy is a safe and effective alternative to
laparotomy, yielding similar fertility outcomes and requiring significantly less postoperative
analgesia and a significantly shorter
hospital stay.