Abstract
In order to assess the value of laparoscopy as a routine procedure in suspected ectopic pregnancy (E.P.) a study was made on 489 laparoscopies performed on this indication. The laparoscopy was technically successful in 478 cases (97.8%). Only one of 166 E.P. was overlooked. A false diagnosis of E.P. was made in 6 of 312 women without ectopic gestation. Thus, the total diagnostic accuracy in successful laparoscopies was 98.5%. Combining swiftness and exactitude and covering the whole field of different conditions where a suspicion of E.P. arises, laparoscopy is superior to other diagnostic procedures. It is concluded that routine use of laparoscopy in suspected E.P. is justified. Apart from fulminant cases in which it is contraindicated, laparoscopy should be regarded as the method of choice to diagnose as well as to exclude E.P.