Abdominal pregnancy: a case report and review of 17 cases

Purpose To analyze the clinical characteristics of abdominal pregnancy, and to explore the diagnosis and prognosis of different treatment methods. Methods The cases of patients with abdominal pregnancy admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 1989 and January 1, 2021, were analyzed retrospectively. Results The median age of 17 patients was 34 years (22-42 years); the median gestational duration was 57 days (from 41 days to 32 weeks). Among all 17 patients, 15 (88.24%) presented with abdominal pain. The implantation sites of the gestational sac included the bladder peritoneal reflection, anterior wall of the rectum, omentum, serous membrane of the uterus, and inside or on the surface of uterosacral ligament. In all, only 29.41% cases (5/17) were diagnosed before surgery. All 17 patients were treated via surgery. Further, 58.82% (10/17) patients recovered without complications, 29.41% (5/17) developed fever, 5.88% (1/17) underwent reoperation because of intra-abdominal bleeding, and 5.88% (1/17) developed double lower limb venous thrombosis. All 17 patients survived. Conclusion The preoperative diagnosis rate of abdominal pregnancy is low. Planting sites in the pelvic peritoneum and pelvic organs are more common than the others. Laparoscopic surgery in the first trimester of pregnancy can achieve better therapeutic effects. However, the blood supply of the placenta should be fully evaluated before surgery. When it is expected that attempts to remove the placenta will cause fatal bleeding, the placenta can be left in place, but long-term close follow-up should be paid attention to.