Ectopic Pregnancy: A 5 Year Review of Cases at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi

Background: Ruptured ectopic pregnancy continues to be a common life threatening emergency in our environment as well as a public health problem.Objective: This is to study the incidence, clinical presentation, risk factors and the management of cases that presented in our centre over a five year period.Methods: This is a retrospective study of cases of ectopic gestations managed in the gynaecological unit of NAUTH Nnewi from January 1st, 2002 to December 31st, 2006. Information was obtained from the case notes, theatre and labour ward registers. Results: During the period, a total of 2,746 deliveries were recorded while 556 gynaecological patients were admitted. Thirty six patients had ectopic gestations accounting for 1.3% of all deliveries and 6.5% of all gynaecological admissions. The peakage group was 26-30 years (44.4%); 28(77.7%) were married and 20 (55.6%) attained secondary school as their highest level of education. All 36(100%) of the patients were symptomatic at presentation. Abdominal pain, amenorrhoea and syncopal attack were the most common symptoms at presentation. Also, multiple sexual partners 27(75%), previous abortions 25(69.4%) and previous sexually transmitted infections 10(27.8%) were the most common risk factors present in the patients. Abdominal paracentesis 32(88.9%), ultrasound 8(22.2%) and urinepregnancy tests 7(19.4%) were most commonly utilized for diagnosis. None of the cases was diagnosed before rupture. Open abdominal surgery was the treatment employed in all the patients.Conclusion: Ectopic pregnancy is still a major challenge in gynaecological practice in our centre. Most cases present late making tubal conservation treatment inapplicable. This has far reaching implications in a society where there is high premium on child bearing.Niger Med J. Vol. 51, No. 4,Oct. – Dec., 2010: 160 – 163.Keywords: ectopic pregnancy revie