Tubal Stump Ectopic Pregnancy After IVF-ET in Patients Who Underwent Salpingectomy or Adnexectomy: A Qualitative Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening medical and surgical condition. Tubal stump EPs and heterotopic pregnancies can occur after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), even after salpingectomy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of tubal stump EPs after IVF-ET in patients with prior salpingectomy or adnexectomy. We also aim to evaluate the intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) outcome in cases of heterotopic pregnancy in this population. Materials and Methods: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023352959) followed PRISMA guidelines. A literature search of MEDLINE®, Scopus, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov was conducted on 30 April 2024. We included studies on tubal stump EP after IVF-ET in patients with previous salpingectomy or adnexectomy and created a qualitative summary. Results: We included 40 studies reporting on 57 patients (58 EP episodes). Most patients (69.0%) had prior bilateral salpingectomy. Tubal rupture occurred in 69.6% of cases, with 69.0% of these cases reporting hemoperitoneum. Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (71.7%). Heterotopic pregnancy occurred in 60.0% of cases (82.7% singletons). The IUP outcome was delivery in 81.9% of cases, with 95.5% of singletons delivering at term, compared with 40.0% of twins. The surgical approach (laparoscopy vs. laparotomy) did not change the IUP outcome. Tubal stump excision (74.1%) was the most common treatment. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was judged as moderate to very low according to the GRADE-CERQual approach, mainly due to small sample sizes, observational designs, and heterogeneity among studies. Conclusions: This review, the first on this topic, provides key data for counselling patients with a tubal stump heterotopic pregnancy. Despite its rarity, close follow-up until 8–10 weeks is recommended for IVF-ET patients with positive β-hCG, monitoring for abdominal pain. Successful management (expectant, medical, or surgical) should be guided by β-hCG levels and ultrasound findings (e.g., absence of heartbeat). Medical treatment shows encouraging obstetric outcomes and warrants further research.