Treatment effects of laparoscopy versus laparotomy on heterotopic pregnancy after in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the treatment effects of laparoscopy versus laparotomy on heterotopic pregnancy (HP) after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODS

The retrospective case-control study enrolled 109 patients diagnosed with HP after IVF-ET treatment in our hospital from January 2009 to March 2020. All patients received surgical treatment by either laparoscopy or laparotomy. Data for general characteristics, diagnostic features, surgical parameters, as well as perinatal and neonatal outcomes were collected.

RESULTS

Sixty-two patients received laparoscopy and 47 received laparotomy. Significantly lower percentage of large hemoperitoneum (P = 0.001), shorter surgery duration (P < 0.001), less intraoperative blood loss (P = 0.001), higher rates of general anesthesia (P < 0.001), and lower cesarean section rates for singletons (P = 0.003) were found in the laparoscopy group. The perinatal and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups. When interstitial pregnancy was considered alone, the surgical blood loss was significantly reduced in the laparoscopy group (P = 0.021), but there was no significant difference in hemoperitoneum, surgery duration, or perinatal and neonatal outcomes in singletons.

CONCLUSION

Both laparoscopy and laparotomy are effective surgical treatments for HP after IVF-ET. Laparoscopy is minimally invasive but laparotomy can be an alternative in emergency situations.