Ectopic pregnancy
Ectopic pregnancy Definition: An ectopic pregnancy (EP) is defined as the implantation of a pregnancy outside the normal uterine cavity. Over 98% implant in the Fallopian tube. Rarely, ectopic pregnancies can implant in the interstitium of the tube, ovary, cervix, abdominal cavity or in caesarean section scars. A heterotopic pregnancy is the simultaneous development of two pregnancies: one within and one outside the uterine cavity. Incidence and aetiology: One in 80 pregnancies are ectopic. They account for 9–13% of maternal deaths in the Western world and 10–30% in low resource countries. The incidence of a heterotopic pregnancy in the general population is low (1:25,000–30,000), but significantly higher after in-vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment (1%) due to the transfer of two blastocysts. Aetiological factors for ectopic pregnancy: • Fallopian tube damage due to pelvic infection (e.g. Chlamydia/Gonorrhoea), previous ectopic pregnancy and previous tubal surgery.