THE INCIDENCE OF SURGICAL COMPLICATIONS FOLLOWING ECTOPIC PREGNANCY MANAGEMENT: LAPAROSCOPY VS OPEN

Abstract

Background: Ectopic pregnancy is a gynaecological emergency that requires urgent treatment as it is life-threatening. Laparoscopy and open salpingectomy (laparotomy) are the two methods of surgery commonly used. The techniques vary about invasiveness, recovery period and complication rates.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics of a Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from July 2021 to December 2022.

Objective: To compare the rate of surgical complication after the management of ectopic pregnancy in laparoscopy and open salpingectomy.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study was comparative and comprised 288 patients with ectopic pregnancy. The WHO sample size calculator formula was used to calculate the sample size. Two groups of patients were separated in accordance with the surgical intervention laparoscopy and open salpingectomy. A structured proforma with the following data collection criteria was used to collect data, namely, demographic data and intraoperative findings and postoperative complications, including haemorrhage, infection, and length of stay in the hospital. Statistical analysis was done in SPSS.

Results: Among the 288 patients, 144 had laparoscopy and the rest 144 were done using open salpingectomy. Laparoscopy group had considerably less complications such as reduced postoperative infection and reduced length of stay in hospital. Open salpingectomy was linked to excessive blood loss and prolonged period of recovery.

Conclusion: Laparoscopy is relatively safe and more effective in treating ectopic pregnancy, complications are lower and recovery is faster compared to open salpingectomy.