Introduction

Ectopic pregnancy occurs when fertilize ovum implants outside the uterine cavity. Incidence is 0.5 per hundred pregnancies. Previously the treatment of ectopic pregnancy was limited to surgery. With the advent of methotrexate the treatment of selected cases of an ectopic pregnancy is viable alternative to surgical treatment. Methotrexate is an anti-metabolite that interferes with DNA synthesis and disrupts cell proliferation. Medical therapy has advantage over surgical therapy for number of reasons including eliminating morbidity from surgery and General Anesthesia, potentially less tubal damage and less cost. Successful medical treatment with methotrexate can help preserve the chance for future healthy pregnancies.

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Neena Agrawal, M.D. (Obst. & Gynae.)

Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Nalanda Medical College & Hospital, Patna, Bihar, India