STUDY QUESTION<\/p>\n
What proportion of pregnancies are a result of ovum transmigration after salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy?<\/p>\n
SUMMARY ANSWER<\/p>\n
Approximately one-third of spontaneously conceived pregnancies are a result of pick-up of the ovum from the ovary contralateral to the remaining tube in women with a history of salpingectomy.<\/p>\n
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY<\/p>\n
The corpus luteum has been found contralateral to tubal ectopic pregnancies in 32% of reported cases. The rate of contralateral ovum pick-up in intrauterine pregnancies is not known.<\/p>\n
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION<\/p>\n
We conducted a retrospective cohort study of clinical and ultrasound records collected over a 12-year period 1999–2010. Ten per cent of cases identified were excluded from the final analysis due to incomplete data or bilateral corpora lutea.<\/p>\n
PARTICIPANTS\/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS<\/p>\n
Included were 842 pregnancies in 707 women with a history of unilateral salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy and subsequent spontaneous pregnancy. The study was set in the Early Pregnancy Unit of a large UK inner city teaching hospital. The outcome measure was the side of the corpus luteum in relation to the side of the remaining tube.<\/p>\n
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE<\/p>\n
The corpus luteum was located in the ovary contralateral to the remaining tube in 266\/842 pregnancies (31.6%; 95% CI 28.5–34.8%). There was no significant difference in this proportion between intrauterine and ectopic pregnancies [246\/769 (32.0%) versus 21\/73 (28.8%), P<\/I> = 0.60].<\/p>\n
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION<\/p>\n
This was a retrospective study and so did not address the conception rate according to the laterality of ovulation.<\/p>\n
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS<\/p>\n
Our findings were very similar to the frequency of ectopic pregnancies found contralateral to the corpus luteum described in previous studies. Ovum pick-up from the cul-de-sac probably occurs reasonably frequently and is unlikely to have a causative role in the pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy. It is not known how often this phenomenon occurs in women with intact Fallopian tubes.<\/p>\n
STUDY FUNDING\/COMPETING INTEREST(S)<\/p>\n
No specific funding was obtained. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.<\/p>\n
Source: STUDY QUESTION What proportion of pregnancies are a result of ovum transmigration after salpingectomy for ectopic pregnancy? SUMMARY ANSWER Approximately one-third of spontaneously conceived pregnancies are a result of pick-up of the ovum from the ovary contralateral to the remaining … Continue reading
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