ANALYSIS OF 315 ECTOPIC PREGNANCIES TREATED WITH SINGLE-DOSE METHOTREXATE

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to review the largest sing le series of ectopic pregnancies treated with single-dose methotrexate reported to date. STUDY DESIGN: A review of 315 patients with unruptu red ectopic pregnancies treated with single-dose methotrexate 50 mg/m( 2) from March 21, 1990, to March 1, 1997, was performed. RESULTS: Over all 287 patients were successfully treated with methotrexate for a suc cess rate of 90.1%. Six patients electively withdrew and requested sur gery within 1 week of starting therapy. Excluding withdrawals the over all success rate was 92.9%. Ten patients with an ectopic pregnancy >3. 5 cm but less than or equal to 4 cm in size were treated for a 90% suc cess rate. Forty-four patients with positive ectopic cardiac activity were treated with an 87.5% success rate. CONCLUSIONS: This large serie s indicates that single-dose intramuscular methotrexate for treatment of ectopic pregnancy is associated with an excellent overall success r ate.