Surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy
Date issued: June 2024
For review: June 2026
Ref: A-495/KN/Early pregnancy/Surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy v2
PDF: Surgical management of an ectopic pregnancy v2.pdf [pdf] 226KB
Following surgical management with removal of the Fallopian tube (salpingectomy), we recommend that you perform a urine pregnancy test after 3 weeks. If it is positive, please contact the Early Pregnancy Unit (EPU) for advice, you may need to attend for a blood test or an ultrasound scan.
Following surgical management with conservation of the Fallopian tube (salpingostomy), you will have weekly blood tests arranged in EPU. These are to monitor your pregnancy hormone level (ßhCG), until the level falls below 20iu/L.
For the prevention of pelvic infection, all women diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy will be advised to take oral antibiotics for 7 days, you will be provided with these.
The risk of recurrence of an ectopic pregnancy after 1 previous ectopic pregnancy is 10% and after 2 or more is 20-30%. All women who have had an ectopic pregnancy can self-refer to EPU for an early ultrasound scan at 6 weeks gestation in all future pregnancies, even if asymptomatic.
We understand that being diagnosed with an ectopic pregnancy can be a very distressing and frightening experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Useful websites:
Contact details
Early Pregnancy Unit:
- Tel: 01752 430887 or 01752 245212
- Monday to Friday, 8am to 5:30pm
Ocean Suite (Gynaecology ward)
- Tel: 01752 430026
- Monday to Friday, 5:30pm to 8am. All day Saturday and Sunday
