The Role of Hysteroscopy for the Treatment of Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition, accounting for 1-6% of ectopic pregnancies. Its location complicates diagnosis and management, and no standardized treatment guidelines exist. Fertility-preserving, minimally invasive approaches have been proposed as alternatives to medical therapy or radical surgery. This systematic review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of hysteroscopic treatment, focusing on uterine preservation and reproductive outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251249508). Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from inception to January 2026. Eligible articles included case reports and case series describing interstitial pregnancies managed hysteroscopically, alone or combined with minimally invasive treatments, without medical therapy. Study quality was assessed using the JBI Checklist. <b>Results:</b> Eight studies comprising 21 patients were included. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 55 days, and mean β-hCG level was 7981 IU/L (range 1440-32,000 IU/L). Hysteroscopic management was successful in 16 of 21 cases (76%). Five patients required rescue therapy. Reduced residual myometrial thickness was the main factor associated with treatment failure. Mean time to β-hCG normalization was 32 days. <b>Conclusions:</b> Hysteroscopic management is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for clinically stable patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancy. It allows direct visualization, targeted tissue removal, and preservation of uterine integrity and fertility, with limited morbidity. Ultrasound guidance is generally sufficient, reserving laparoscopy for high-risk cases. These findings support hysteroscopy as a fertility-preserving strategy, though larger prospective studies are needed to confirm long-term reproductive outcomes.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2026-03-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15062158
Primary Topic
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
Type
article
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article

The Role of Hysteroscopy for the Treatment of Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Laura Vona, Francesco Nappi, Stefania Carlucci, Guglielmo Stabile et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
article

The Role of Hysteroscopy for the Treatment of Interstitial Ectopic Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Laura Vona, Francesco Nappi, Stefania Carlucci, Guglielmo Stabile, Luigi Nappi, Stefania Biffi, Anna Pitsillidi, Stefano Restaino, Giuseppe Vizzielli
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition, accounting for 1-6% of ectopic pregnancies. Its location complicates diagnosis and management, and no standardized treatment guidelines exist. Fertility-preserving, minimally invasive approaches have been proposed as alternatives to medical therapy or radical surgery. This systematic review evaluates the safety and effectiveness of hysteroscopic treatment, focusing on uterine preservation and reproductive outcomes. <b>Methods:</b> This systematic review was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251249508). Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed were searched from inception to January 2026. Eligible articles included case reports and case series describing interstitial pregnancies managed hysteroscopically, alone or combined with minimally invasive treatments, without medical therapy. Study quality was assessed using the JBI Checklist. <b>Results:</b> Eight studies comprising 21 patients were included. Mean gestational age at diagnosis was 55 days, and mean β-hCG level was 7981 IU/L (range 1440-32,000 IU/L). Hysteroscopic management was successful in 16 of 21 cases (76%). Five patients required rescue therapy. Reduced residual myometrial thickness was the main factor associated with treatment failure. Mean time to β-hCG normalization was 32 days. <b>Conclusions:</b> Hysteroscopic management is a safe and effective minimally invasive option for clinically stable patients with interstitial ectopic pregnancy. It allows direct visualization, targeted tissue removal, and preservation of uterine integrity and fertility, with limited morbidity. Ultrasound guidance is generally sufficient, reserving laparoscopy for high-risk cases. These findings support hysteroscopy as a fertility-preserving strategy, though larger prospective studies are needed to confirm long-term reproductive outcomes.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 15(6)
University of Foggia (IT), University of Udine (IT), IRCCS Materno Infantile Burlo Garofolo (IT), University of Chieti-Pescara (IT), Lukaskrankenhaus (DE)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 29%
Ectopic Pregnancy Diagnosis and Management
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