Encouraging rates of fertility after ectopic pregnancy.

A follow-up study (4 to 8 years) on fertility of 110 patients seeking pregnancy after ectopic pregnancy (EP) showed normal delivery in 65%, recurrent EP in 20%, and infertility in 15%. Delivery rates were better in patients who were under age 30 years, used an IUD at the time of operation for EP, and underwent conservative operative treatment for acute EP. The subsequent intrauterine pregnancy rates of EP patients who had used an IUD at the time of ectopic nidation were the same (92%) as after removal of IUD in the healthy population. It appears that IUD plays a predisposing role in EP only when in use. The study also shows that modern diagnostic and therapeutic procedures are beneficial for improving subsequent fertility rates after EP. These fertility rates are highly encouraging with respect to the massive increase of EP in the Finnish population.