Spontaneous ectopic pregnancy occurring in the remnant tube after ipsilateral salpingectomy: a report of 2 cases

Stump Ectopic Pregnancy: A Rare Presentation

Ectopic pregnancy is a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in women of reproductive age group. Tubal ectopic in an unstable patient is a medical emergency. Tubal stump ectopic is a rare presentation. It is difficult to diagnose. Early diagnosis can prevent significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we present a case of ruptured tubal stump ectopic pregnancy in a 33-year-old female who had undergone salpingectomy previously for ectopic pregnancy.

Spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy after tubal sterilization: A case report

The sterilization failure rate of a total bilateral salpingectomy is unknown. After a total bilateral salpingectomy, spontaneous intrauterine pregnancy is extremely rare; only four cases have been documented. This case report describes a 34-year-old G4P1213 with a history of bilateral salpingectomy who was found to have a viable intrauterine pregnancy. The pregnancy was continued and ended in a repeat cesarean section. At the time of surgery, a left tubal remnant was noted. While the patient was originally reported to have a complete salpingectomy, the evidence of a tubal stump makes this an unintended partial salpingectomy. It is theorized that dense pelvic adhesions at the time of the left salpingectomy increased the likelihood of sterilization failure. This is the first case report to evaluate the pelvic cavity after an intrauterine pregnancy following a reported complete bilateral salpingectomy. Patients should be counseled on the risk of ectopic and intrauterine pregnancy following a bilateral salpingectomy.

Multiple Spontaneous Ectopic Pregnancies Following Bilateral Salpingectomy

Introduction

Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a significant cause of gynaecological morbidity and mortality. Salpingectomy is the preferred management modality in recurrent ectopic pregnancies; although they do not eliminate the risk of reoccurrence. The aetiology of recurrent ectopic pregnancies remains unknown but there are identifiable risk factors associated with increased likelihood of occurrence.

Case Presentation

We present the case of a 30-year-old woman who attended the emergency unit with her second spontaneous ectopic pregnancy following a previous bilateral salpingectomy. She had prior multiple spontaneous ectopic pregnancies: laparoscopic salpingectomy for a left cornual EP in 2017 followed by laparotomic salpingectomy for a ruptured right EP after failed medical management in 2018. Lastly, she had laparoscopic removal of an EP sac in the scar of a previous left cornual EP in 2019. She presented with a history of missed periods, pelvic pain, and vaginal spotting. Her examination revealed left lower abdominal pain, soft, non-tender abdomen, and no cervical excitation. Pelvic ultrasound revealed a thin endometrium and no intrauterine pregnancy visualised. A suspicious complex mass near the left ovary with a ring-like structure was noted. Her β-HCG was (251 IU/L) which plateaued after 48 hrs (220 IU/L). She responded well to methotrexate with no need for surgical intervention this time.

Conclusion

This case is unique as it highlights the importance of keeping an open mind when managing recurrent ectopic pregnancies, especially when preventative surgical measures have been performed previously.

Spontaneous ectopic pregnancy occurring in the distal fallopian tube cut off from the uterus after an incomplete prior operation to remove only the middle of the fallopian tube: A case report

After salpingectomy, recurrent ectopic pregnancies occur in the contralateral fallopian tube. Here, we present a case of ipsilateral remnant fallopian tube pregnancy in a 30-year-old woman with a history of incomplete prior operation to remove the middle region of the left fallopian tube following fallopian tube isthmus pregnancy 6 years earlier. During the previous salpingectomy, the left fallopian tube was not completely observed because of adhesions to the pelvic peritoneum and sigmoid colon; a partial remnant may have been present. The patient presented with lower abdominal pain 6 weeks after the most recent menstrual cycle, and transvaginal ultrasonography revealed a remnant left fallopian tube ectopic pregnancy. A 4 cm-sized mass identified at the distal end of the remnant left fallopian tube and the proximal remnant tube were laparoscopically removed. The possibility of an ipsilateral remnant tubal pregnancy should be carefully considered in spontaneous pregnancy after partial fallopian tube resection.

Recurrent ectopic pregnancy in the tubal remnant after salpingectomy

We present two cases of ectopic pregnancy located within the remnant tube following ipsilateral salpingectomy. This particular pathology is rare and yet has significant consequences for the patient, with mortality rates 10–15 times higher than other ectopic pregnancies. It demonstrates that salpingectomy does not exclude ectopic pregnancy on the ipsilateral side. We suggest careful clinical consideration and bring attention to the current surgical technique.