Ruptured Ectopic Pregnancy

Abstract

It is thought-provoking to remember that until 1883 a ruptured ectopic pregnancy was a death sentence. In his book on this condition, by the physician, John Parry, published in 1876, we read “here is an accident which may happen to any wife in the most useful period of her existence which good authorities have said is never cured… no remedy, either medical or surgical has been tried with any success”. Among the suggested treatments were injection of narcotic material into the sac, electric shocks and copious and frequent bleeding, (which, of course, would have hastened the demise of the unfortunate patient). Parry himself, although a physician, suggested that the only remedy would be for a surgeon to open the abdomen and either to ligate the bleeding vessels or remove the ectopic sac entirely.