The place of autotransfusion in management of ectopic pregnancy--10 years experience.

Between the period January 1989 to December 1998, a total of 119 cases of ectopic gestations and 11 389 deliveries were managed. The incidence of ectopic gestation was 1.04%, or one in 96 deliveries. Tubal gestation constituted 97.47% (n = 116), while abdominal and ovarian gestation were 1.68% (n = 2) and 0.84% (n = 1) respectively. The age range was 16-42 years, with mean age of 27 years. The modal age group was 26-30 years; 10.18% (n = 12) were associated with intrauterine contraceptive devices. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom in 96% (n = 98) while abdominal and cervical excitation tenderness occurred in 97.10% and 72.6%, respectively. Autotransfusion was used in correction of anaemia in 62.75% (n = 64) while 37.25% (n = 38) received both autotransfusion and donated homologous blood. Maternal death rate was 0.84% (n = 1).