STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between preoperative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone levels, and success of linear salpingostomy in treatment of tubal pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING: Women's general hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred five women undergoing laparoscopic linear salpingostomy for ectopic pregnancy. INTERVENTION: Examination of risk factors for surgical failure of salpingostomy by analyzing corresponding receiver operating curves. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 305 women, intervention was successful in 272 and failed in 33, as assessed by either postoperative hemorrhage (16) or rising beta-hCG values (14); 3 women had both. Of 295 patients in whom beta-hCG was evaluated preoperatively, 149 (50.5%) had values of 1000 mU/ml. or less; 75% had progesterone levels of 10 ng/ml or below. No association was found between preoperative beta-hCG and progesterone levels and the success of linear salpingostomy. CONCLUSION: Preoperative beta-hCG and progesterone levels are of no significance with regard to success of linear salpingostomy for treatment of tubal pregnancy.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To estimate the association between preoperative beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and progesterone levels, and success of linear salpingostomy in treatment of tubal pregnancy. DESIGN: Retrospective case control study (Canadian Task Force classification II-1). SETTING:Women's general hospital. PATIENTS: Three hundred five women undergoing laparoscopic linear salpingostomy for ectopic pregnancy. INTERVENTION: Examination of risk factors for surgical failure of salpingostomy by analyzing corresponding receiver operating curves. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In 305 women, intervention was successful in 272 and failed in 33, as assessed by either postoperative hemorrhage (16) or rising beta-hCG values (14); 3 women had both. Of 295 patients in whom beta-hCG was evaluated preoperatively, 149 (50.5%) had values of 1000 mU/ml. or less; 75% had progesterone levels of 10 ng/ml or below. No association was found between preoperative beta-hCG and progesterone levels and the success of linear salpingostomy. CONCLUSION: Preoperative beta-hCG and progesterone levels are of no significance with regard to success of linear salpingostomy for treatment of tubal pregnancy.