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Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effect of hydrosalpinx on pregnancy outcomes, to compare different types of management of hydrosalpinx and their impact on pregnancy rates as well as on the ovarian reserve., Data Sources: Electronic search using Pubmed, EMBASE, Ovid MEDLINE, Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and including all published studies that examined tubal infertility and its management (assisted reproductive technology or surgery) as well as the effects on ovarian reserve. The following medical subject headings (Mesh) terms combinations were used: "fallopian tube disease," hydrosalpinx," "tubal or salpinx occlusion or obstruction," "in vitro fertilization," "fallopian tube surgery," "salpingectomy," "salpingostomy," "infertility," "subfertility," "sterility" and "ovarian reserve.", Methods of Study Selection: All randomized trials, cohort, and case controls studies were included. We excluded review articles, meeting abstracts, case series and case reports, and abstracts without access to full texts. The search was limited to trials in humans and published in English., Tabulation, Integration, and Results: Our electronic search initially retrieved 6354 articles. Finally, 19 studies were included in the quantitative evaluation of the effects of hydrosalpinx: 23 in the qualitative evaluation and 5 in the quantitative evaluation of different types of hydrosalpinx treatments; and 17 in the quantitative evaluation of ovarian reserve. The presence of a hydrosalpinx was associated with decreased rates of implantation and clinical pregnancy, and increased rates of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Management of hydrosalpinx with salpingectomy, tubal occlusion, or hydrosalpinx aspiration led to better in vitro fertilization pregnancy rates. We found no difference in ovarian response to stimulation after salpingectomy except a decrease in antimüllerian hormone compared to no surgery., Conclusions: The presence of hydrosalpinx is associated with decreased pregnancy rate and increased rates of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage. Management of hydrosalpinx, regardless of the type of treatment, leads to an increased chance of pregnancy., (Copyright © 2020 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study sought to answer the following question: What are the complications and assisted reproductive technology outcomes among women with hydrosalpinges managed by hysteroscopic microinsert tubal occlusion compared with women with hydrosalpinges managed by laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion or salpingectomy?, Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study conducted from January 2009 to December 2014 at two academic, tertiary care, in vitro fertilization centres in Toronto, Ontario. All patients (n = 52) who underwent hysteroscopic tubal occlusion for hydrosalpinges were identified. Patients who proceeded with embryo transfer cycles after hysteroscopic microinsert (n = 33) were further age matched to a cohort of patients who underwent embryo transfer after laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion or salpingectomy (n = 33). Main outcome measures were clinical pregnancy rate per patient and per embryo transfer cycle., Results: Among 33 patients, there were 39 fresh and 37 frozen embryo transfer cycles in the hysteroscopic group (group A); among 33 patients in the laparoscopic group (group B), there were 42 fresh and 29 frozen embryo transfer cycles. The cumulative clinical pregnancy rate in group A and group B was similar (66.7% vs. 69.7%, respectively; P = 0.8). The clinical pregnancy rate per embryo transfer cycle was also similar in both groups (28.9% in group A vs. 32.4% in group B; P = 0.6). There were two incidents of ectopic pregnancy in the laparoscopic group and no ectopic pregnancy in the hysteroscopic group. There were three major complications: tubo-ovarian abscess, distal migration of the coil after microinsert placement, and an acute abdomen following the hysteroscopic procedure., Conclusion: Pregnancy outcomes after hysteroscopic placement of a microinsert for hydrosalpinx management before embryo transfer were comparable to those following laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion or salpingectomy. However, caution is advised regarding microinsert placement for hydrosalpinges before proceeding with assisted reproductive technology., (Copyright © 2019 The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada/La Société des obstétriciens et gynécologues du Canada. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: This study aims to investigate the influencing factors of pregnancy after laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis., Methods: The data of 156 cases of laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis in our hospital were analyzed., Results: The pregnancy rate decreased with age (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after six years of anastomosis was higher in those with ligation (P < 0.005). The postoperative pregnancy rate significantly increased in subjects with oviduct lengths of > 7 cm (P < 0.01). The pregnancy rate of isthmus end-to-end anastomosis was higher (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after bilateral tubal recanalization was higher than that after unilateral tubal recanalization (P < 0.005). The pregnancy rate after laparoscopic tubal ligation and laparoscopic anastomosis was higher than that of open tubal ligation and laparoscopic anastomosis (P < 0.005)., Conclusion: The pregnancy rate after laparoscopic oviduct anastomosis is higher in subjects below 35 years old, with a ligation duration of < 6 years, and a length of oviduct of > 7 cm, and those who underwent isthmus anastomosis and laparoscopic oviduct ligation and recanalization.

Study Objective: To identify factors predictive of persistent ectopic pregnancy (PEP) in women who have undergone laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingotomy for tubal pregnancy., Design: Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: Tertiary referral center., Patients: Ninety-nine women who underwent laparoscopic tubal preservation surgery for ectopic pregnancy., Interventions: Seventy women underwent laparoscopic salpingostomy, and the remaining 29 women underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy., Measurements and Main Results: Factors predicting PEP were evaluated. The change in serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels from baseline observed between postoperative days 5 and 10 (ChCGD5-10) was a predictor of PEP (odds ratio [OR], 0.80; p = .01). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a cutoff value of 93.1% was determined, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.95 (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 100%). Nonetheless, when considering perioperative variables only, body mass index (BMI) was identified as a predictor of PEP (OR, 0.71; p = .03). Based on the ROC analysis, a BMI cutoff value of ≤22 kg/m 2 was determined, with an ROC area of 0.73 (sensitivity, 43.2%; specificity, 100%). In addition, a higher baseline β-hCG level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.0002; p = .009) and left tubal pregnancy (HR, 6.46; p = .03) were predictive of recurrent ectopic pregnancy. There were no differences in the perioperative outcomes, PEP rates, or subsequent intrauterine pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups. In addition, surgical method was not a predictor of recurrent ectopic pregnancy., Conclusions: ChCGD5-10 was identified as a predictor for PEP, suggesting that it might be more clinically useful for the follow-up of PEP. When considering perioperative variables only, BMI was a predictor for PEP. In addition, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups., (Copyright © 2018 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To describe the frequency and temporal trends of inpatient hospitalization for tubal ectopic pregnancy as well as patients' characteristics, determinants and the current national trends in surgical management of ectopic pregnancy., Methods: We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of patients who were treated for tubal ectopic pregnancy in an inpatient hospital setting in the United States from 1998 to 2011 using data from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample databases. National frequency and significant changes in the rate of surgical management of tubal ectopic pregnancy in the inpatient setting are described., Results: The study included 334 639 tubal ectopic pregnancies for women aged 18-50 in the United States from 1998 to 2011. The rate of tubal ectopic pregnancy (per 10 000 maternal admissions) decreased from 77.2 in 1998 to 40.5 in 2011. The proportion of tubal ectopic pregnancies for which salpingostomy was performed decreased from 17.0% in 1998 to 7.0% in 2011, while the rate of salpingectomy increased from 69.3% in 1998 to 80.9% in 2011. The temporal change in surgical choice was not different in states with comprehensive in vitro fertilization insurance mandates., Conclusion: The rate of tubal ectopic pregnancy managed in the inpatient setting in the United States decreased 5% annually between 1998 and 2011. The rate of salpingectomies performed annually increased whereas that of salpingostomy decreased over time. The surgical approach selected for the management of tubal ectopic pregnancies was not influenced by a state's in vitro fertilization mandate status., (© 2018 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Study Objective: To determine whether different treatment approaches of ectopic pregnancy (EP), particularly unilateral salpingectomy and methotrexate, affect its recurrence rate in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)., Design: A retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2)., Setting: An academic medical center., Patients: Patients with a history of a previous EP who achieved pregnancy after IVF cycles between January 2004 and August 2015 were included. The recurrence rate of EP was compared between patients who underwent different treatment approaches for a previous EP., Interventions: IVF., Measurements and Main Results: A total of 594 patients were included. Seventeen patients had a recurrence of EP (2.9%). Patients with a history of ≥2 EPs were associated with a significantly higher recurrence rate of EP than those with 1 previous EP (8.5% vs. 1.8%; p = .01; odds ratio [OR] = 2.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-4.4). Patients who underwent unilateral salpingectomy (n = 245) had a comparable recurrence rate of EP after IVF with those who received methotrexate (n = 283) (3.6% vs. 2.8%; p = .5; OR = 1.3; 95% CI, 0.4-3.4). This OR remained unchanged after adjusting for patient's age, number of previous EPs, number of transferred embryos, and peak estradiol level during stimulation (adjusted OR = 1.4; 95% CI, 0.5-3.8). None of the patients who underwent bilateral salpingectomy (n = 45) or salpingostomy (n = 21) had a recurrence of EP after IVF., Conclusion: The recurrence rate of EP significantly correlates with the number of previous EPs. Treatment of EP with methotrexate has a comparable recurrence rate of EP after IVF with unilateral salpingectomy. Therefore, the risk of recurrence should not be a reason to favor salpingectomy over methotrexate in this population., (Copyright © 2017 AAGL. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is common among young women. Treatment can consist of either surgery with salpingectomy or salpingostomy or medical management with methotrexate. In addition to acute complications, treatment of ectopic pregnancy can result in long-term sequelae that include decreased fertility. Little is known about the patterns of care and predictors of treatment in women with ectopic pregnancy. Similarly, data on outcomes for various treatments are limited., Objective: We examined the patterns of care and outcomes for women with ectopic pregnancy. Specifically, we examined predictors of medical (vs surgical) management of ectopic pregnancy and tubal conservation (salpingostomy vs salpingectomy) among women who underwent surgery., Study Design: The Perspective database was used to identify women with a diagnosis of tubal ectopic pregnancy treated from 2006-2015. Perspective is an all-payer database that collects data on patients at hospitals from throughout the United States. Women were classified as having undergone medical treatment, if they received methotrexate, and surgical treatment, if treatment consisted of salpingostomy or salpingectomy. Multivariable models were developed to examine predictors of medical treatment and of tubal conserving salpingostomy among women who were treated surgically., Results: Among the 62,588 women, 49,090 women (78.4%) were treated surgically, and 13,498 women (21.6%) received methotrexate. Use of methotrexate increased from 14.5% in 2006 to 27.3% by 2015 (P<.001). Among women who underwent surgery, salpingostomy decreased over time from 13.0% in 2006 to 6.0% in 2015 (P<.001). Treatment in more recent years, at a teaching hospital and at higher volume centers, were associated with the increased use of methotrexate (P<.05 for all). In contrast, Medicaid recipients (adjusted risk ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.98) and uninsured women (adjusted risk ratio, 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.93) were less likely to receive methotrexate than commercially insured patients. Among those who underwent surgery, black (adjusted risk ratio, 0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.69-0.85) and Hispanic (adjusted risk ratio, 0.80; 95% confidence interval, 0.66-0.96) patients were less likely to undergo tubal conserving surgery than white women and Medicaid recipients (adjusted risk ratio, 0.69; 95% confidence interval, 0.64-0.75); uninsured women (adjusted risk ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-0.66) less frequently underwent salpingostomy than commercially insured patients., Conclusion: There is substantial variation in the management of ectopic pregnancy. There are significant race- and insurance-related disparities associated with treatment., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Aim: To compare patient characteristics, imaging and surgical management of mature cystic teratomas (MCTs) according to surgery type - elective versus emergent., Methods: The study included surgeries performed between 1990 and 2016, during which histologically verified ovarian MCT material was obtained. The elective management group included surgeries performed at a pre-set date or incidental finding of MCT as part of a different surgery. Emergent surgeries were considered as such if performed as a result of suspected adnexal torsion., Results: One hundred ninety two operations in which MCT was confirmed by histology were included: 136 elective, 56 emergent. The majority (88.5%) of study patients were of reproductive age. Patients in the emergent surgery group were significantly younger (27.5 ± 10.2 vs 36 ± 13.8 years, P < 0.001). Sensitivity for dermoid diagnosis was significantly increased among elective surgery patients (65.2% vs. 47.1%, P = 0.02). Laparoscopy was the preferred surgical mode in both study groups. Adnexal torsion was confirmed in 67.8% of emergent surgeries. Conservative surgery, including cystectomy with or without detorsion, was more commonly performed in emergent surgeries (91% vs. 72.7%, P = 0.006). Bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with or without total abdominal hysterectomy was more commonly performed in elective surgery patients (22% vs. 3.5%, P = 0.001). Patient parity, mass size and white blood cell count were independently associated with adnexal torsion., Conclusions: Adnexal torsion is common among symptomatic patients with MCT and is related to mass size, patient age, past parity and white blood cell count. Most patients with MCT are of reproductive age and thus are treated with a minimally invasive approach., (© 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.)

Over the past 20 years, a substantial body of research has accumulated about ectopic pregnancy, especially about its epidemiology, risk factors, and diagnosis. Nonetheless, the care of women with these pregnancies remains a topic of debate, and no consensus or guidelines exist to clarify the optimal treatment choices. This review revisits the four primary treatments for ectopic pregnancy and defines and details the concept of "activity," which guides the indications for each treatment. Recent findings of no difference in fertility during the 2 years after an ectopic pregnancy have answered some old questions and raised new ones for determining the optimal management of ectopic pregnancies. Most especially, they allow the consideration and weighing of a wider range of factors, including the woman's own preferences as well as efficacy and the monitoring time until recovery., (Copyright © 2014 American Society for Reproductive Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Premenopausal risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers effectively reduces ovarian cancer risk, but also reduces breast cancer risk. Breast cancer risk reductions up to 50% have been reported for both BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers, but recent prospective studies were not able to reproduce this finding for BRCA1 mutation carriers. Breast cancer incidence after RRSO was assessed in a consecutive series of 104 BRCA1 and 58 BRCA2 mutation carriers. On the basis of data from our own centre, and assuming a 50% risk reduction through RRSO at premenopausal age, we expected to find 8 breast cancers (range 6-10) in this population for the reported screening period (532 women-years). In 162 carriers with a median age of 41 years at RRSO, 13 incident breast cancers were diagnosed. In BRCA1 mutation carriers, 12 incident breast cancers were found compared with 5 (range 3-6) expected and in BRCA2 mutation carriers 1 breast cancer was found compared with 3 (range 2-5) expected. Breast cancer incidence after premenopausal RRSO is still high, especially in BRCA1 mutation carriers. Previously reported breast cancer risk reductions up to 50% were not confirmed. As a consequence, continued intensive screening for breast cancer is warranted in BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation carriers after RRSO.

Here, we review factors associated with uptake of risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy by women at increased hereditary risk for ovarian cancer, as well as quality of life issues following surgery. Forty-one research studies identified through PubMed and PsychInfo met inclusion criteria. Older age, having had children, a family history of ovarian cancer, a personal history of breast cancer, prophylactic mastectomy, and BRCA1/2 mutation carrier status increase the likelihood of undergoing surgery. Psychosocial variables predictive of surgery uptake include greater perceived risk of ovarian cancer and cancer-related anxiety. Most women report satisfaction with their decision to undergo surgery and both lower perceived ovarian cancer risk and less cancer-related anxiety as benefits. Hormonal deprivation is the main disadvantage reported, particularly by premenopausal women who are not on hormonal replacement therapy (HRT). The evidence is mixed about satisfaction with the level of information provided prior to surgery, although generally, women report receiving insufficient information about the pros and cons of HRT. These findings indicate that when designing decision aids, demographic, medical history, and psychosocial variables need to be addressed in order to facilitate quality decision making., (©2010 AACR.)

Background: Risk-reducing salpingo-oophorectomy (RRSO) is the safest intervention for prevention of ovarian cancer in women at increased risk for hereditary breast-ovarian cancer. Little is known about other effects of RRSO. The objective of this study was to investigate quality of life (QoL) and fatigue in a sample of women who had RRSO for increased cancer risk and to compare the findings with those of age-matched controls from the general population (NORM)., Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional follow-up mailed questionnaire design, 301 (67%) of 450 invited Norwegian women with RRSO attended. The questionnaire contained measures of QoL, fatigue, anxiety/depression, and body image, and questions about demography, lifestyle, and morbidity. The findings were compared with those of the NORM., Results: For RRSO women, mean age at survey was 53.7 years (SD, 9.2), mean age at RRSO was 48.4 years (SD 8.4), and median follow-up time was 5.0 years (range, 1-15 years). No clinically significant differences were observed between RRSO and NORM for any of the QoL or fatigue dimensions. In subgroup analyses of the RRSO group, no clinically significant differences in QoL and fatigue were observed between those who had surgery before or after age 50 years, or between BRCA1/2 carriers and women with unknown mutation statuses. Women who had cancer (32%), however, showed clinically significant lower levels of QoL and more fatigue than women without cancer., Conclusions: Women who had RRSO showed similar levels of QoL and fatigue as NORM. Women who had cancer before RRSO had lower levels of QoL and more fatigue.

Objective: To identify possible factors associated with undergoing bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) at the time of hysterectomy among women with benign conditions., Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis using the 2005 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Women aged 18 years or older who underwent hysterectomy with BSO or hysterectomy only for a benign condition were included. We examined a broad range of factors associated with undergoing BSO in multivariable analyses., Results: Fifty-two percent of 461,321 hysterectomies included BSO, with a mean age of 49 years compared with 43 years in the hysterectomy-only group (P<.001). The odds of BSO were two times higher in the Midwest and South and 1.67 times higher in the West as compared with the Northeast (P<.001). Women who were uninsured or had Medicaid were more likely to undergo BSO compared with those with private insurance (odds ratio 1.86, 95% confidence interval 1.14-3.04 for "no charge/charity," odds ratio 1.21, 95% confidence interval 1.08-1.35 for Medicaid) Although BSO was more common among white women than African-American, Latina, and Asian women (P<.001), lower income was associated with BSO among African-American and white women only, not among Asian and Latina women (P=.007 for test for interaction). BSO was eight times as likely with a laparoscopic hysterectomy and 12 times as likely with an abdominal hysterectomy compared with a vaginal approach (P<.001). Women who had endometriosis, pelvic infection, or an ovarian cyst were more likely to undergo BSO (P<.001) compared with women who did not have these diagnoses., Conclusion: There is significant nationwide variation in the practice of BSO. Age, route of hysterectomy, and diagnosis at surgery affect BSO rates. Nonclinical factors such as race or ethnicity, insurance status, income, and geographic location are also associated with BSO practice., Level of Evidence: II.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the clinical impact of proximal tubal occlusion and salpingectomy when performed before IVF in patients with hydrosalpinges., Design: Prospective randomized study., Setting: Assisted reproduction unit in an obstetrics and gynecology department in a university hospital in Greece as well as assisted reproduction unit in an urban clinic in a major city in Greece., Patient(s): One hundred fifteen patients with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges who were candidates for IVF treatment., Intervention(s): Laparoscopic proximal tubal occlusion, laparoscopic salpingectomy, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, IVF, and embryo transfer., Main Outcome Measure(s): Implantation rate, clinical-pregnancy rate, ongoing-pregnancy rate, abortion rate, and ectopic-pregnancy rate., Result(s): Patients who underwent proximal tubal occlusion before IVF demonstrated significantly increased implantation, clinical-pregnancy, and ongoing-pregnancy rates compared with those with no surgical intervention and demonstrated implantation, clinical-pregnancy, and ongoing-pregnancy rates comparable to those who underwent salpingectomy., Conclusion(s): Proximal tubal occlusion, when performed in women with unilateral or bilateral hydrosalpinges before their IVF treatment, represents a potentially beneficial surgical procedure, increasing significantly the chances for successful implantation and for clinical and ongoing pregnancy. Proximal tubal occlusion may be viewed as a valid alternative when salpingectomy is technically difficult or not feasible.

Using an anonymous and sealed questionnaire sent to all French IVF centers, the current management of hydrosalpinx before or during IVF was evaluated. Laparoscopic salpingectomy was recommended and undertaken in less than half of the centers, even though several other treatments were reported and despite medical evidence for this surgical option.

Objective: To determine the outcome of tubal surgeries at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital. Enugu, Nigeria over a 15 year period (1990 - 2004)., Method: A retrospective case series review., Results: Sixty-four women underwent tubal surgery in the hospital within the 15 year period. Hydrosalpinx was the most frequent tubal pathology occurring in 35 (54.7%) of the women followed by peritubal adhesions in 13 (20.3%) women and cornual block in 11 (17.2%) women. The surgical access was through laparotomy in 59 (92.2%) women and laparoscopy in 5 (7.8%) women. Fifty-seven (89.1%) of the cases had macrotubal surgery while 7 (10.9%) women had microtubal surgery. Twenty-four (37.5%) women had cuff salpingostomy, 16 (25%) had peritubal adhesiolysis, 12 (18.8%) had linear salpingostomy while 10 (15.6%) had tubo-cornual anastomosis. The most frequently used suture for tuboplasty was chromicised catgut No 2/0 which was used in 46 (71.9%) of the women. Twenty-five (39.1%) women were followed up for more than 6 months while the rest were lost to follow-up after 6 months. Three of the 25 women followed-up for more than 6 months became pregnant giving a pregnancy rate of 12.0% for this sub-group and an overall pregnancy rate of 3/64 or 4.7%., Conclusions: Tubal surgery as seen at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu has a low pregnancy rate similar to ones reported from other Nigerian centres. If attention is paid to the currently recommended microsurgical techniques, the pregnancy rates following tubal surgery are likely to be better than has been documented in this study.

Uterine papillary serous carcinoma (UPSC) accounts for 10% of endometrial carcinomas but a higher proportion of deaths due to its aggressive nature and poor response to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In order to add to the knowledge of UPSC in the literature and to review our local practices, we examined the pathology, medical records, and management of all cases of UPSC (67 patients) treated in South East Scotland over a 10-year period and also evaluated the prognostic significance of the percentage of UPSC in endometrial pipelle and hysterectomy specimens. Although only 63% of initial diagnostic biopsies were reported to contain UPSC, rereview of the cases revealed UPSC in 98.5% of the preoperative biopsies. The percentage of UPSC in the tumors did not affect the outcome. Stage, positive omentum, and treatment with external-beam +/- intracavitary radiotherapy were significantly correlated with overall survival and progression-free survival by univariate analysis, but only stage (P < 0.01) was correlated with outcome on multivariate analysis. Chemotherapy did not affect outcome. UPSC may be difficult to diagnose in preoperative biopsies, particularly when present as part of a mixed tumor. Even a small percentage of UPSC in a diagnostic biopsy or hysterectomy specimen is correlated with a poor prognosis. This study emphasizes the need of a cooperative, prospective study on this distinct uterine carcinoma.

Information on the outcome following salpingostomy performed for infertility in everyday practice is needed to counsel patients, determine the best approach to this condition and clarify whether the outcome is superior when surgery is performed by a physician who maintains a high volume of ongoing experience. A total of 547 consecutive subjects were identified over a 5 year period using the Alberta Health Care Claims Database. Their claims history was analysed over a follow-up of 2-7 years, to identify pregnancy-related events, loss to follow-up and events which would result in sterility. Pregnancies were cross-checked with the only in-vitro fertilization programme serving the region. The overall cumulative live birth and tubal pregnancy rates were 11.7 and 7.2% respectively. Live birth rates were significantly higher when practitioners had performed >10 procedures within the study period. Live birth rates would appear to be substantially lower in everyday practice than following surgery performed by acknowledged experts. A high volume of ongoing experience appears to be associated with superior live birth rates. It is unclear whether this association relates to case selection, surgical expertise or both variables.

The outcome of 368 consecutive tubal microsurgical operations excluding reversal of sterilizations, over a ten year period at the Rotunda Hospital, is presented. One hundred and ten conceptions resulted giving a pregnancy rate of 29.9% per procedure. The 'take home baby rate' was 24.2%, with miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy rates of 2.7% and 3% respectively.

Tubal pregnancy leads to reduced childbearing potential and is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in the United States. Several hospital-based studies have shown a trend toward more conservative management of tubal pregnancies, which reflects attempts to reduce morbidity and preserve fertility; however, the impact on future fertility remains unclear. To study national trends in the management of tubal pregnancy from 1970-1987, we analyzed data from the National Hospital Discharge Survey. Tubal pregnancies managed conservatively, using operative procedures that attempt to preserve the function of the involved fallopian tube, increased from approximately 2% in 1970-1978 to 12% in 1984-1987. During 1979-1987, conservative procedures were more than twice as common for women with private insurance as for those without it. The use of diagnostic laparoscopy increased from 10% of tubal pregnancies in 1970-1978 to 33% in 1979-1987, whereas the use of diagnostic laparotomy decreased from 24 to 2%.

Persistent trophoblast after salpingostomy occurs in up to 7% of cases of tubal pregnancy. Usually the retained trophoblast is within the fallopian tube, but recent reports have described viable implants on the serosal and omental surfaces. A survey was mailed to 100 members of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists to determine the incidence of the complication. The 25 respondents reported 14 cases of persistent trophoblast implanted on the pelvic serosal or omental surface. This complication followed 1.9% of the cases managed with laparoscopy and 0.6% managed with laparotomy. Some surgical steps can decrease the likelihood of this complication. Also, the beta-human chorionic gonadotropin level should be monitored postoperatively, even if management was with salpingectomy, and especially if the specimen was fragmented laparoscopically to facilitate its removal.