Salpingectomy for tubal pregnancy: A comparison between two different endoscopic techniques

Laparoscopic surgery has gained wide acceptance in the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. The choice between conservative and demolitive treatment is rel ated to various factors such as the extension and the localization of the e ctopic sac, the condition of the tubal wall, and the presence of adhesions that could obstruct the future tubal function. Concerning the demolitive su rgical approach, different endoscopic techniques have been proposed. We con ducted a prospective study between April 1995 and June 1997 to compare two different techniques performed in the two participating centers: salpingect omy was performed by endoloop ligation in 15 women and by electroresection with bipolar coagulation in 21 patients. Inclusion criteria were (1) no int erest for future fertility, (2) a ruptured tube that was surgically unsuita ble for conservative treatment, (3) tubes with ectopic gestation previously operated on, and (4) a previous tubal pregnancy on the same side, expectan tly treated. Both techniques had comparable results in safety, hospitalizat ion, operative time, intraoperative and postoperative complications, reprod uctive outcome. In conclusion, the two techniques are comparable, but we ha ve to emphasize the much lower cost of the bipolar technique.