The most common ectopic pregnancy treatments are surgery and drug treatment. The decision to use one versus the other is typically based on factors such as how far along the pregnancy is, how large the embryo is, and if the fallopian tube has been damaged or ruptured. Normally a doctor will choose the least invasive option possible to minimize risk to the patient.
For an ectopic pregnancy that is less than six weeks along, the use of medication is generally the most common form of treatment. A drug called methotrexate is administered to the patient, which attacks the growing cells of the embryo and dissolves them. They are then reabsorbed by the body. Of the two available ectopic pregnancy treatments, methotrexate has several advantages; it is non-invasive, does not require the woman to go under general anesthesia, and will not damage the fallopian tube. Treatment with the drug does have some disadvantages, however, including unpleasant side effects such as abdominal pain, dizziness, and fatigue, as well as taking several days to address the ectopic pregnancy.
There are two main types of surgery used as ectopic pregnancy treatments. The first, more common type is known as laparoscopy. The procedure involves making a small incision inside of the belly button, through which a thin tube known as a laparascope is inserted. A camera and light on the instrument help guide it to the blocked fallopian tube, and then other instruments are inserted through the laparascope to remove the embryo and repair any damage. This is the preferred surgical procedure if the pregnancy is further along and the embryo has grown relatively large, or if methotrexate does not effectively address the issue.
If the situation has progressed to the point that the fallopian tube is damaged, bleeding, or ruptured, the second of the surgical ectopic pregnancy treatments, laparotomy, may be required. Many times, this procedure needs to be performed on an emergency basis, as hemorrhaging from the damaged tube can become life-threatening. An incision, usually several inches across, is made in the abdominal wall for the surgeon to access the fallopian tube. If possible, he or she will fix the damage to the tube and leave it in place after removing the tissue from the pregnancy. When an ectopic pregnancy has progressed to this point, however, the damage is often severe enough to require the tube to be removed completely.
