A new tubal classification system for fertility prognosis after laparoscopic salpingostomy for tubal pregnancy

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine conventional surgery combined with traditional Chinese medicinal retention enema for tubal obstructive infertility: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Chinese medicinal retention enemas have gradually attracted the attention of clinicians as an alternative approach for tubal obstructive infertility. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and safety of conventional surgery combined with traditional Chinese medicinal retention enemas for the treatment of tubal obstructive infertility.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eight electronic databases were searched from their inception to November 30, 2022. To assess the efficacy and safety of different treatments, following outcomes were measured: clinical pregnancy rate, clinical total effective rate, incidence of ectopic pregnancy, the improvement of Traditional Chinese Medicinal (TCM) symptoms, the improvement of the signs of obstructive tubal infertility and side effects.

RESULTS

A total of 23 Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) with 1909 patients met the inclusion criteria. The pooled results showed a higher pregnancy rate in the experimental group than in the control group (RR 1.75, 95% CI [1.58, 1.94], Z = 10.55, P<0.00001). The clinical total effective rate in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (RR 1.28, 95% CI [1.23, 1.34], Z = 11.07, P<0.00001). The incidence of ectopic pregnancy in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group (RR 0.40, 95% CI [0.20, 0.77], Z = -2.73, P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Based on current evidence, we concluded that conventional surgery combined with traditional Chinese medicinal retention enema for tubal obstructive infertility was superior to conventional surgery alone in improving the clinical pregnancy rate, improving clinical total effective rate, improving TCM symptoms, improving the signs of obstructive tubal infertility and lowering the incidence of ectopic pregnancy. However, further clinical trials with high-quality methodologies need to be conducted.

Preliminary hysteroscopic tubal hydrotubation improves fertility outcomes after laparoscopic salpingotomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy

Background

Salpingotomy may change the anatomical structure and patency of the fallopian tube, which may affect the fallopian function. This study is to investigate the clinical efficacy of preliminary hysteroscopic tubal hydrotubation (HTH) after laparoscopic salpingotomy for tubal ampullary pregnancy.

Methods

A retrospective study was carried out, 140 women underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy for ampullary pregnancy from March 2013 to March 2017. Some patients received HTH in the 1st month and hysterosalpingography (HSG) in the 3rd month after salpingotomy (HTH group; n = 95), and some patients only received HSG in the 3rd month after salpingotomy (control group; n = 45). Clinical data, tubal patency and fertility outcome were evaluated after follow-up of 15 months.

Results

The tubal patency rate of the operated side was significantly higher in the HTH group than that in the control group (89.47% vs 68.89%, P < 0.05). The intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) rate was significantly higher in the HTH group (76.47% vs 51.11%, P < 0.05), and the recurrent ectopic pregnancy rate in the operated side was significantly lower in the HTH group than in the control group (9.41% vs 22.22%, P < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the positive factor for IUP was HTH (OR = 3.109, 95% CI 1.439–6.714, P = 0.004), while the negative factors were history of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) (OR = 0.167, 95% CI 0.074–0.377, P < 0.001) and history of tubal infertility (OR = 0.286, 95% CI 0.113–0.723, P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Preliminary HTH after laparoscopic salpingotomy for ampullary pregnancy could improve reproductive function and lead to a better fertility outcome. Patients without history of PID or tubal infertility may be the most suitable ones for HTH after salpingotomy.

Evaluation of the recurrence and fertility rate following salpingostomy in patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy

Background

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the leading causes of pregnancy-related mortality; the treatment strategies associated with this condition entail complications, such as recurrence of ectopic pregnancy or infertility. The objective of this study was to evaluate the recurrence and fertility rate after salpingostomy in patients with tubal ectopic pregnancy.

Methods

This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted at four referral centers of Obstetrics and Gynecology, under the supervision of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran). The medical records of 125 patients with tubal pregnancy were reviewed. These patients underwent laparoscopic salpingostomy from April 2009 to March 2016.Data on maternal age, BMI, history of previous EP, genital tract infection, IUD insertion, history of previous surgery, and infertility were further obtained. The patients were followed up for approximately 1 to 7 years. The recurrence of EP and subsequent pregnancy rate were assessed during the follow-up period.

Results

There was no statistically significant relationship between post-salpingostomy recurrence and maternal age, previous abdominopelvic surgery, and history of infertility(P = .425); however, the post-salpingostomy recurrence of EP was correlated with BMI (P = 0.001), previous history of EP (P = 0.001), genital tract infection (P = 0.001), and IUD insertion (P = 003). Among 95 women who had no contraception, pregnancy occurred in 51 cases (53.6%) and recurrence of EP was observed in 16 patients (12.8%).

Conclusions

Our results suggest that salpingostomy is a safe method with a low risk of recurrence and good fertility outcomes for women who consider future pregnancy.

Factors Predicting Persistent Ectopic Pregnancy After Laparoscopic Salpingostomy or Salpingotomy for Tubal Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To identify factors predictive of persistent ectopic pregnancy (PEP) in women who have undergone laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingotomy for tubal pregnancy.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).

SETTING

Tertiary referral center.

PATIENTS

Ninety-nine women who underwent laparoscopic tubal preservation surgery for ectopic pregnancy.

INTERVENTIONS

Seventy women underwent laparoscopic salpingostomy, and the remaining 29 women underwent laparoscopic salpingotomy.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Factors predicting PEP were evaluated. The change in serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) levels from baseline observed between postoperative days 5 and 10 (ChCGD5-10) was a predictor of PEP (odds ratio [OR], 0.80; p = .01). Based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, a cutoff value of 93.1% was determined, with an area under the ROC curve of 0.95 (sensitivity, 85.7%; specificity, 100%). Nonetheless, when considering perioperative variables only, body mass index (BMI) was identified as a predictor of PEP (OR, 0.71; p = .03). Based on the ROC analysis, a BMI cutoff value of ≤22 kg/m² was determined, with an ROC area of 0.73 (sensitivity, 43.2%; specificity, 100%). In addition, a higher baseline β-hCG level (hazard ratio [HR], 1.0002; p = .009) and left tubal pregnancy (HR, 6.46; p = .03) were predictive of recurrent ectopic pregnancy. There were no differences in the perioperative outcomes, PEP rates, or subsequent intrauterine pregnancy rates between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups. In addition, surgical method was not a predictor of recurrent ectopic pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

ChCGD5-10 was identified as a predictor for PEP, suggesting that it might be more clinically useful for the follow-up of PEP. When considering perioperative variables only, BMI was a predictor for PEP. In addition, there was no significant difference in clinical outcomes between the salpingostomy and salpingotomy groups.

A Third Surgically Managed Ectopic Pregnancy after Two Salpingectomies Involving the Opposite Tube

Recurrent ectopic pregnancy in a remnant fallopian tube after ipsilateral salpingectomy is clinically rare. We report the extremely rare case of a third recurrent ectopic pregnancy after two previous salpingectomy procedures involving the opposite tube. A 26-year-old woman, gravida 3 para 0, experienced three ectopic pregnancies brought about by natural conception, all of which were treated surgically (right partial salpingectomy, right remnant tube resection, and left total salpingectomy). During the two salpingectomy procedures involving the right tube, the patency of the intact left tube was intraoperatively confirmed with indigo carmine. The most appropriate surgical intervention should be discussed when managing recurrent ectopic pregnancies. It might be necessary to perform total salpingectomy to reduce the risk of future recurrence on the remaining tube.