Laparoscopic Salpingectomy (ectopic pregnancy)

Laparoscopic salpingectomy is a substitute for laparotomy in the surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy. The obvious advantages of this procedure are decreased morbidity and surgical pain, lower cost, shorter hospitalization and convalescence and less disability, as well as a cosmetic surgical scar. As the procedure is so cost-effective, and since the tools are familiar to most gynecologists, there is hope it will gain wider utilization. Laparoscopic salpingectomy is not a difficult procedure when the basic principles of surgery are followed. Depending on the fertility desires of the patient and the condition of the opposite tube, this procedure may be preferable to laparotomy. If complications such as bleeding does occur and fails to respond to cauterization, laparotomy can be done as usual for an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the commonest causes of first trimester maternal death in developed countries. Laparoscopic management of ectopic pregnancy has been demonstrated to be safe and an effective alternative to conventional management by laparotomy. There is also associated less need for analgesia, short hospital stay and decreased postoperative morbidity.