Background: ectopic pregnancy is one of the recognised complications of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and embryo transfer.
Objective: to review cases of ectopic pregnancy following IVF at a fertility unit, with the aim of raising awareness towards its increased incidence and pattern of presentation.
Methods: case records of patients who had ectopic pregnancy following IVF over a three-year-period (July 2005-June 2008) were retrieved from the medical records department. Data including age, parity, risk factors for ectopic pregnancy as well as management modality were extracted and analysed.
Results: There were 64 clinical pregnancies during the study period. Of these, five were ectopic pregnancies, given a frequency of 7.8%. The minimum number of embryos transferred was two and maximum four. All the five cases had easy embryo transfer. There was one case of heterotopic pregnancy. Two (40%) patients had previous ectopic pregnancies with one having a third ectopic pregnancy despite previous bilateral salpingectomies. Four (80%) of the five cases had laparotomy done. Three (60%) cases had ruptured ectopic pregnancies. One case was managed conservatively with methotrexate.
Conclusion: ectopic pregnancy can present following IVF procedures. A high index of suspicion is necessary even in cases with previous bilateral salpingectomies or easy embryo transfer.