Is there a relationship between age and side dominance of tubal ectopic pregnancies? – A preliminary report

Abstract

Objectives: To determine whether there exists a relationship between age and side dominance of tubal ectopic pregnancies. Material and Methods: One hundred twenty patients were retrospectively analyzed. The sides of the tubal ectopic pregnancies were recorded on the basis of laparoscopy or laparotomy findings. Five age groups were created: 20-24, 25-29, 30-34, 35-39, and ≥40 years. Results: Of the patients who were ≥ 30 years of age, 46 (69%) and 21 (31%) had tubal ectopic pregnancies on the right and left sides, respectively (p=0.002). In the 35-39 years of age group, 17 of 20 patients (85%) had tubal ectopic pregnancies on the right, and 3 of 20 patients (15%) on the left side (p=0.002). In the 30-34 years of age group, 26 of 39 patients (67%) and 13 of 39 patients (33%) had tubal ectopic pregnancies on the right and left sides, respectively (p=0.037). In the ≥ 40 years of age group, 3 of 8 patients (37%) had tubal ectopic pregnancy on the right side, while 5 patients (63%) on the left side (p=0.48). Conclusions: Patients who are between the age of 30-40 years have a right-sided dominance of tubal ectopic pregnancy, however studies that involve larger numbers of subjects are needed to make definitive conclusions about women older than 40 years of age.