Atypical ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy after hysterectomy may not be so uncommon: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Ectopic pregnancy after hysterectomy is a very uncommon event, but its frequency is increasing. Since first reported by Wendler in 1895, 71 cases of post-hysterectomy have been reported.

CASE

A woman, 2 years after an abdominal supracervical hysterectomy, presented with a ruptured fallopian tube ectopic pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

Any woman, even after hysterectomy but with ovaries in situ, who presents with an acute abdomen or abdominal-pelvic pain should be screened for pregnancy.

Late occurring ectopic pregnancy in a posthysterectomy patient

The incidence of ectopic pregnancy after hysterectomy is extremely rare with only 56 cases reported in the medical literature. Due to its rare occurrence, this diagnosis may not be initially considered when such a patient presents with abdominopelvic pain. It is an important diagnosis to keep in mind since a delay in diagnosis may lead to death. The case presented below describes this extremely unusual diagnosis of an ectopic pregnancy which occurred six years after a supracervical hysterectomy.