OBJECTIVE: To evaluate conservative management of early viable cervical pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A tertiary teaching hospital. POPULATION: All cases of cervical pregnancies with fetal cardiac activity presenting to our hospital over six years. METHODS: All cases were managed with trans-abdominal intra-amniotic injection of 25 mg of methotrexate under ultrasound guidance. Follow up sonographic examinations and serum beta-hCG measurements were performed every three days. Cervical curettage was performed after two follow up ultrasound examinations had shown a dead fetus and a regressing gestational sac as well as declining beta-hCG levels. Patients were managed as outpatients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful management and need for hospitalisation. RESULTS: Nine cases were encountered. Two required a second injection of methotrexate for persistent fetal cardiac activity and serum beta-hCG rise in the follow up examination. We did not observe any side effects and no patient required admission to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-amniotic methotrexate injection and subsequent cervical curettage after one week is a successful alternative for the management of cervical pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate conservative management of early viable cervical pregnancy. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A tertiary teaching hospital. POPULATION: All cases of cervical pregnancies with fetal cardiac activity presenting to our hospital over six years. METHODS: All cases were managed with trans-abdominal intra-amniotic injection of 25 mg of methotrexate under ultrasound guidance. Follow up sonographic examinations and serum beta-hCG measurements were performed every three days. Cervical curettage was performed after two follow up ultrasound examinations had shown a dead fetus and a regressing gestational sac as well as declining beta-hCG levels. Patients were managed as outpatients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Successful management and need for hospitalisation. RESULTS: Nine cases were encountered. Two required a second injection of methotrexate for persistent fetal cardiac activity and serum beta-hCG rise in the follow up examination. We did not observe any side effects and no patient required admission to the hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-amniotic methotrexate injection and subsequent cervical curettage after one week is a successful alternative for the management of cervical pregnancies.