Repeat ectopic pregnancy: a study of 123 consecutive cases.

In a study of 1,330 ectopic pregnancies, 123 (9 per cent) patients experienced repeat tubal pregnancies. Of these 123 patients with repeat ectopics, 96 (78 per cent) were surgically sterilized with their second operative procedure. The remaining 27 potentially fertile patients have had nine pregnancies, but only three living children. Cornual wedge resection of the uterine tube predisposed in interstitial pregnancy and to rupture of the uterus in four cases. Four patients had three ectopic pregnancies each. Repair of the involved tube is usually technically possible following linear salpingotomy and should be done if future fertility is desired. If the patient does not desire future pregnancy, she should be sterilized to avoid the risk of repeat ectopic pregnancy.