ABSTRACT
Abdominal pregnancy is defined as an ectopic pregnancy implanted in the peritoneal cavity, excluding tubes, ovaries, or intraligamentous sites. It not only implants in the pelvis, but it can also implant in the upper abdominal regions.
Early diagnosis and management can critically influence the severity of morbidity and mortality risks. Earlier diagnosis by human chorionic gonadotropin testing, together with the location of the pregnancy sac by ultrasound and laparoscopy, is mandatory. Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for abdominal ectopic pregnancy. When the products of conception are not completely removed or the placenta is left in situ, methotrexate can be given.
However, only published cases are reviewed, which may represent the more complicated or rare cases. It is important to note that there may have been overreporting of particularly vivid cases that led to death. In the absence of sufficiently large cohort or case-control studies, series that include all abdominal ectopic pregnancies, or large well-characterized national health databases, we have limited ability to estimate the real clinical associations and mortality rates. In conclusion, whenever an ectopic pregnancy is considered, an abdominal pregnancy, although rare, should be kept in mind to prevent catastrophic maternal mortality.
