Fertility following ectopic pregnancy in an African population

Summary

Cases of ectopic pregnancy were analysed retrospectively at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria from 1 January 1982 to 31 December 1992. The records of 151 patients who had at least 1 year of follow up were analysed for fertility after surgery for ectopic pregnancy.

Fifty-nine patients (39–1 per cent) subsequently conceived. Forty-one (30–5 per cent) delivered at term, six (4–0 per cent) had abortions, seven (4–6 per cent) had repeat ectopic pregnancies, and 92 (60–9 per cent) remained secondarily infertile. Age less than 30 and absence of pelvic adhesions were associated with the best chance of fertility after ectopic gestation. best chance of fertility after ectopic gestation.