Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate curative effects by different chemotherapeutic measures involving the use of Methotrexate (MTX) on unruptured ectopic pregnancy. Between January 2001 and April 2004, a total of 164 patients with unruptured ectopic pregnancy were treated. They were randomly divided into four groups. In Group I, 50 mg/m² of MTX was administered 3 times every two days, intravenous (IV) drip, and citrovor-um factor (C.F) was intramuscularly injected 3 times every two days; in Group II, 50 mg/m² of MTX was singly injected into different sides of buttock muscle, separately; to Groups III and IV, treatment protocols given were the same as those given to Groups I and II, respectively, with the addition of 150 mg of mifepristone orally administered. The success rate in Group I was 73.17% (30/41) versus 92.68% (38/41) in Group II, and that in Group III was 75.61% (31/41) versus 87.80% (36/41) in Group IV. The difference between Groups I and II, and that between Groups III and IV both demonstrated manifest statistical significance (p<0.01) while neither of the difference between Groups I and III, or that between Groups II and IV showed statistical significance (p>0.05). 50 mg/m² of MTX by single IM has better efficacy than that by divided IV drip plus safety scheme of citrovor-um factor (C.F). The addition of mifepristone can not improve the curative effect but can only lead to the aggravation of toxic side reactions.

Key words: Ectopic pregnancy, methotrexate, mifepristone.