Eric Daiter, MD

The word "ectopic" means "out of place." An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy that is not growing in the usual location (the uterine cavity). Ectopic pregnancies can occur in a number of abnormal locations, each with different characteristic growth patterns and treatment options.

As soon as a pregnancy becomes recognized, each (prospective) parent generally starts to accept and plan for their new arrival. If the pregnancy is lost, this is often considered a "death within the family" and the couple will go through an intense grieving process. The loss of a pregnancy can be devastating for a couple, regardless of the number of children in the family or the cause for the loss.

Whenever the surgery that is considered can be performed equally well and equally safely by either laparoscopy or laparotomy, the decision as to the type of incision to be used can (and in my opinion really should) include the patient.