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International audience

International audience

International audience

Twenty-six ectopic pregnancies located strictly within the isthmus were treated surgically using conservative laparoscopic techniques. In each and every case, the Triton monopolar electrode was used to perform salpingostomy which was followed by aspiration of the trophoblast. This therapeutic approach is very reliable since only one failure was observed (3.9%), requiring a further operation during which salpingectomy was carried out by laparoscopy. It was possible to evaluate subsequent fertility for 11 patients, seven of whom (63.6%) obtained an intrauterine pregnancy and only one patient (9.1%) had a recurrence. This highly satisfactory prognosis is perfectly comparable with that obtained with treatment via laparotomy with segmental resection of the isthmic portion of the tube and immediate or delayed anastomosis. These very encouraging results mean that conservative laparoscopic treatment presents an advantageous alternative to classic surgical treatment for isthmic ectopic pregnancies, in that the patients are spared a laparotomy.

As with laparotomy, laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy (EP) can be either conservative or radical. After conservative laparoscopic treatment by salpingotomy the risk of failure (between 4 and 6%) is comparable with that observed after similar treatment by laparotomy. The fertility results after laparoscopic treatment of EP are comparable if not better than those observed after similar treatment by laparotomy. These two reasons, together with the considerable advantages of endoscopy over laparotomy, mean that today laparoscopic treatment is without question the best surgical treatment for EP. The prognosis for post-EP fertility is unrelated to the characteristics of the EP (size, rupture, location). The post-EP fertility depends mainly on the patient's previous history. We have established the Therapeutic Scoring System for EP by assessing the different factors affecting future fertility and multivariable analysis. This score allowed us to choose the most suitable treatment to preserve fertility and reduce the risk of recurrence between conservative laparoscopic treatment, laparoscopic salpingectomy with or without contralateral tubal sterilization.

The last ten years have been characterized by a tremendous change in laparoscopy. Initially used exclusively for diagnosis, laparoscopy is now a surgical method in its own right and plays a strategic role. Long-term evaluation of results for various pathologies (such as ectopic pregnancy and tubo-peritoneal sterility) means that just one laparoscopic procedure can be used for diagnosis, selection of the best therapeutic approach and also for treatment in those cases where laparoscopy is the optimum choice. Other more recent indications (including hysterectomy, lymphadenectomy etc.) which are now possible thanks to recent technological developments (such as clips and mechanical sutures) need long-term analysis of their results.

International audience