Are all ectopic pregnancies really that scary?

Today, we saw two patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy in a row, and the blood HCG values were not high, but the patients were particularly nervous when they heard the word “ectopic pregnancy”, and kept asking if they would bleed profusely, and whether they would need surgery, and so on. There is a reason why patients are so nervous. In everyone’s mind, “ectopic pregnancy” is associated with words like “acute abdomen”, “shock”, “rupture” and so on. The term “ectopic pregnancy” is associated with the words “emergency abdomen”, “shock”, “rupture” and so on. Unbeknownst to us, due to the widespread use of blood HCG, progesterone measurement and vaginal ultrasound, the early diagnosis rate of ectopic pregnancy has improved considerably, and many ectopic pregnancies can be diagnosed and treated before rupture, so the number of critical cases has been reduced by a lot. However, it is worth mentioning that as the level of diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy has improved, its incidence has also increased. At present, there are various clinical methods for treating ectopic pregnancy, and the specific method to be chosen is mainly based on the location and size of the ectopic pregnancy, the presence or absence of fetal heartbeat, the patient’s requirements for fertility, and the blood HCG level. The following I will briefly say a few commonly used treatment methods: 1, conservative treatment (drug treatment) is mainly used for early ectopic pregnancy, the requirements of fertility preservation of young women, no contraindications to drug treatment, and to meet the following conditions: (1) ectopic pregnancy did not rupture; (2) the diameter of the gestational sac is less than or equal to 4cm; (3) blood HCG is less than 2,000IU / L; (4) no obvious internal bleeding. The patient can be treated with medication. For the above patients, medication can be used, and the changes of ultrasound and blood HCG value should be closely monitored during the period of medication; if the condition does not improve or worsens after the medication, surgery should be carried out immediately. Conservative surgery is suitable for young women who have indications for surgical treatment but have reproductive requirements. The indications for surgical treatment are as follows: (1) vital signs are unstable or there are signs of intra-abdominal bleeding; (2) the diagnosis is not clear; (3) blood HCG is more than 3,000IU/L or continues to rise, there is a fetal heartbeat, large masses in the adnexal area, etc.; (4) the follow-up is unreliable; (5) there are contraindications to medication or medication is ineffective. For the above patients, the operation is selected according to the location of the fertilized egg and the tubal lesions, and the fertility function of the patients is preserved as much as possible. 3.Radical surgery is to remove the affected side of the fallopian tube, which is suitable for the emergency patients with tubal pregnancy, internal bleeding and shock who have no requirement for childbearing. In addition, for some patients who cannot rule out ectopic pregnancy but have low blood HCG and progesterone values, we may adopt expectant therapy, that is, no drug intervention, but close observation of the patient’s condition, close monitoring of the blood HCG and progesterone levels, until they fall to normal levels.