Ectopic pregnancy

An ectopic pregnancy is one in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall. Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube (so-called tubal pregnancies), but implantation can also occur in the cervix, ovaries, and abdomen.

Nontubal ectopic pregnancy

2% of ectopic pregnancies occur in the ovary, cervix, or intraabdominally. Transvaginal ultrasound examination is usually able to detect a cervical pregnancy. An ovarian pregnancy is differentiated from a tubal pregnancy by the criteria set by Spiegelberg. While a fetus of ectopic pregnancy cannot be salvaged, the case of an occasional abdominal pregnancy has been the very rare exception to this rule. In such a situation the placenta sits on the intraabdominal organs and the peritoneum and has found sufficient access to support a fetus to viability. Such a fetus will have to be delivered by laparotomy. However, the vast majority of abdominal pregnancies require intervention well before fetal viability because the risk of hemorrhage.

Related Topics:
Ultrasound - Laparotomy - Viability

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