Vaginal Hysterectomy for Treatment of Cervical Ectopic Pregnancy

Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Jan;129(1):63-65. doi: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001782.

Abstract

Background: Cervical ectopic pregnancy can lead to catastrophic hemorrhage, and may be managed conservatively with intra-amniotic methotrexate (MTX), systemic MTX, or both; surgical evacuation with or without balloon tamponade; and uterine artery embolization. However, some patients require hysterectomy, which has traditionally been performed abdominally.

Case: A 39-year-old parous woman was diagnosed with cervical ectopic pregnancy at an estimated 7 1/7 weeks of gestation. Her β-hCG level remained at 29,433 milli-international units/mL, and the gestational sac persisted on ultrasonography after first intra-amniotic then multidose systemic MTX treatment. After a review of other fertility-sparing procedures, she chose definitive treatment with hysterectomy because she did not desire future childbearing. She underwent a successful vaginal hysterectomy, a novel approach for this condition.

Conclusion: Vaginal hysterectomy can be performed successfully for treatment of cervical ectopic pregnancy in patients who have completed childbearing and for whom conservative treatment has failed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal / therapeutic use
  • Adult
  • Cervix Uteri*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hysterectomy, Vaginal*
  • Methotrexate / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / diagnostic imaging
  • Pregnancy, Ectopic / surgery*

Substances

  • Abortifacient Agents, Nonsteroidal
  • Methotrexate