MEDICAL-MANAGEMENT OF THE PATIENT WITH AN ECTOPIC PREGNANCY

Ectopic pregnancies are the leading cause of pregnancy-related death d uring the first trimester. Historically, the treatment for an ectopic pregnancy was emergency laparotomy, which included salpingectomy. In 1 987, research began at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis, in conj unction with the University of Tennessee, examining early detection an d medical treatment for ectopic pregnancy. Pharmacologic management of an unruptured, size-appropriate ectopic pregnancy is now an establish ed standard of care. The present protocol recommends single-dose metho trexate. This form of methotrexate has proven to be a successful, cost -effective alternative to traditional surgical management of ectopic p regnancies.