Conservative management of cervical ectopic pregnancy

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of a minimally invasive approach in the management of cervical ectopic pregnancies.

Design

Retrospective case series.

Setting

University tertiary care hospital.

Patient(s)

Twenty-four women diagnosed with cervical ectopic pregnancy managed conservatively.

Intervention(s)

Systemic methotrexate alone or combined with ultrasound-guided fetal intracardiac injection of potassium chloride.

Main Outcome Measure(s)

Reduction in hysterectomy rate, incidence of serious complications, and necessity for further intervention.

Result(s)

Conservative management of cervical ectopic pregnancy was successful in preventing the need for hysterectomy in all patients in our study. In two patients with a heterotopic gestation the intrauterine pregnancy could successfully be salvaged. Four patients experienced morbidity that required additional interventions.

Conclusion(s)

Most cervical ectopic pregnancies can be safely managed in a minimally invasive manner.

Key Words: Cervical ectopic pregnancy, conservative management, potassium chloride injection, methotrexate