Ectopic pregnancy: a five year review.

A survey of all women between the ages of 15-50 who underwent laparotomy at the Women's Hospital, Liverpool, from January 1970 to December 1974, was performed to identify etiological factors in ectopic pregnancy. There were 49 ectopic pregnancies during this peirod. The majority of patients were 30-35 years of age (20), 16 were in the 25-29 group. 63.3% had a previous viable pregnancy, 16.3% had a previous abortion, and 3 patients had a previous ectopic pregnancy. The major sysmptoms were vaginal bleeding followed by abdominal pain. Only 16.3% gave a history of previous pelvic infection. However, 53.5% were found to have evidence of previous pelvic infection. 4 patients. Results indicate that pelvic inflammatory disease is still the greatest cause of ectopic pregancy.