ABSTRACT

Over the past 60 years in the United States, the incidence of ectopic pregnancy has increased more than fivefold and now accounts for approximately 2% of all pregnancies.1,2 Much of this increased incidence can be attributed to the increase in risk factors for ectopic pregnancy such as sexually transmitted infections,3 surgical sterilization,4 and the use of fertility enhancing drugs. During the past 30 years maternal mortality has decreased 11-fold, and currently results in one death in every 3135 patients5 with an ectopic pregnancy. Although maternal mortality rates are significantly decreased and represent improvements in management, ectopic pregnancy is associated with a mortality risk that is four times higher than that of all other causes combined of pregnancy-related deaths.5