ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 193: Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 2018 Mar;131(3):e91-e103. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000002560.

Abstract

Ectopic pregnancy is defined as a pregnancy that occurs outside of the uterine cavity. The most common site of ectopic pregnancy is the fallopian tube. Most cases of tubal ectopic pregnancy that are detected early can be treated successfully either with minimally invasive surgery or with medical management using methotrexate. However, tubal ectopic pregnancy in an unstable patient is a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention. The purpose of this document is to review information on the current understanding of tubal ectopic pregnancy and to provide guidelines for timely diagnosis and management that are consistent with the best available scientific evidence.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Gynecologic Surgical Procedures
  • Humans
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Tubal* / diagnosis
  • Pregnancy, Tubal* / epidemiology
  • Pregnancy, Tubal* / etiology
  • Pregnancy, Tubal* / therapy
  • Risk Factors
  • United States / epidemiology

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Methotrexate