CONTEMPORARY CHALLENGES IN THE TREATMENT OF ECTOPIC PREGNANCY: A REVIEW OF THERAPIES, COMPLICATIONS, AND REPRODUCTIVE PROGNOSIS

Abstract

Ectopic Pregnancy remains a highly complex obstetric emergency whose management requires continuous updating due to the risks of severe hemorrhage and impaired fertility. The present study aimed to critically review the contemporary challenges involved in the treatment of this condition, focusing on therapeutic modalities, complications, and reproductive prognosis. This narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed, SciELO, BVS, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing publications from 2020 to 2025, as well as seminal studies. The findings demonstrated that current management is based on rigorous individualized assessment. Minimally invasive strategies, including expectant management and methotrexate therapy, have gained prominence among hemodynamically stable patients, whereas laparoscopy has become the standard surgical approach. Despite their contribution to reducing acute maternal morbidity and mortality, substantial clinical challenges remain, including early diagnosis to prevent tubal rupture, prevention of persistent trophoblastic tissue, and management of recurrence rates. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the repercussions of ectopic pregnancy extend beyond the hemorrhagic event itself, exerting a profound psychosocial impact. Therefore, modern management requires a multidisciplinary approach capable of reconciling immediate maternal safety and survival with preservation of reproductive potential and support for women’s mental health.