Which of the following confers the GREATEST relative risk of developing a tubal ectopic pregnancy?

• A Previous tubal surgery ✓
• B Previous ectopic pregnancy managed conservatively
• C Pelvic inflammatory disease treated medically
• D Use of an intrauterine contraceptive device

Explanation

Meta-analytic data show that previous tubal surgery carries the highest relative risk of any single factor, roughly 20-fold, because it combines mechanical distortion of the tube with underlying tubal pathology. Previous ectopic pregnancy raises the risk about 8-fold, and pelvic inflammatory disease about 4-fold. An intrauterine device actually reduces overall ectopic risk; it only increases the probability that a conception, if it occurs, will implant ectopically.

Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.