Tubal ectopic pregnancy.

IntroductionApproximately 1/100 pregnancies are ectopic, with the conceptus usually implanting in the fallopian tube. Some ectopic pregnancies resolve spontaneously, but others continue to grow and lead to rupture of the tube. Risks are higher in women with damage to the fallopian tubes due to pelvic infections, surgery, or previous ectopic pregnancy.Methods and outcomesWe conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What treatments improve outcomes in women with unruptured tubal ectopic pregnancy? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to July 2011 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically, please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations, such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). The authors also separately searched Medline and Pubmed up to July 2011 in addition to the Clinical Evidence systematic search to support the comments and clinical guide sections.ResultsWe found 19 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.ConclusionsIn this systematic review we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: salpingotomy, salpingectomy, methotrexate, methotrexate following salpingotomy, methotrexate plus mifepristone, and expectant management.