Heterotopic Pregnancy: A Case Report of Retrospective Diagnosis Following Surgical Treatment

Abstract

Introduction: Heterotopic pregnancy is a rare occurrence. Very few clinicians may come across heterotopic gestations during their careers. It is a difficult condition to diagnose. It can lead to maternal mortality.
Case presentation: I present a case of a 27-year-old patient who presented to me with signs and symptoms of a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. Prompt laparotomy was done and a left tubalectopic pregnancy was found with a 1.5 litres of hematoperitoneum. The patient requested premature discharge from hospital and on follow-up turned out to be having a viable intrauterine pregnancy. A retrospective diagnosis of heterotopic pregnancy was then made.
Conclusion: The diagnosis of a heterotopic pregnancy can be difficult to make. In this case where laboratory, radiological and blood transfusion services are not readily available, prompt surgery based on a clinical picture was life-saving and allowed the intrauterine pregnancy to progress.