Actualización del embarazo ectópico para atención primaria de salud

Abstract

Introduction: Ectopic pregnancy (EE) comes from the Greek "Ektopos" meaning offsite, and therefore all pregnancies whose implantation of the fertilized egg occurs outside the uterine cavity in women of childbearing age are considered the most frequent site of implantation, and it is generally at the level of the uterine tubes. Its symptoms are not so specific and it is characterized by abdominal pain accompanied on occasions by vaginal bleeding or amenorrhea, so the clinical picture is not sufficient for early diagnosis, requiring the implementation of complementary tests to corroborate the suspicion. Objectives: Analyze and collect updated information on ectopic pregnancy for primary health care. Materials and methods: A literature review in English and Spanish available in the PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, Scielo, Latindex and Google Academy databases was carried out with a filter of the last 5 years, from 2016 to 2021, focusing on ectopic pregnancy. Results and discussion: The most recent literature review describes the risk factors, epidemiology, and location, as well as the clinical diagnosis, laboratory, and ultrasound criteria that help us determine the location of the ectopic pregnancy. In addition,it allows us to orient ourselves in the current management of it through expectant management or surgical treatment depending on the patient's condition. Conclusions: Clinical diagnostic methods, ultrasound findings are essential in confirming the diagnosis. It also provides a guide to establish the appropriate treatment that can be conservative by the administration of metrotexate (MTX) as first-line therapy or by referral to a center of greater specialty to carry out procedures such as laparotomy or laparoscopy depending on the hemodynamic status of the patient.