Heterotopic pregnancy in a cross border oocyte donation patient: the importance of cooperation between centers

• Published in: Fertility and sterility Vol. 95; no. 7; pp. 2432.e13 - 2432.e15
• Main Authors: Mancini, Fulvia, M.D., Ph.D, Clua, Elisabet, B.Sc, Martínez, Francisca, M.D., Ph.D, Battaglia, Cesare, M.D., Ph.D, Veiga, Anna, Ph.D, Barri, Pedro N., M.D., Ph.D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-06-2011
• Subjects: Adult; case studies; Cooperative Behavior; cross border reproductive care; Embryo Transfer; Female; heterotopic pregnancy; Humans; Interinstitutional Relations; Internal Medicine; Italy; Laparoscopy; Medical Tourism; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Oocyte Donation; oocytes; patients; physicians; Pregnancy; Pregnancy, Tubal - diagnosis; Pregnancy, Tubal - etiology; Pregnancy, Tubal - surgery; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted - adverse effects; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted - legislation & jurisprudence; Salpingectomy; Spain; Tissue Donors; Treatment Outcome; women; Young Adult; Italy; Spain; cross border reproductive care; heterotopic pregnancy; Oocyte donation
• ISSN: 0015-0282; 1556-5653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2011.03.092

Objective To report a case of tubal heterotopic pregnancy after oocyte donation in a cross border patient. Design Case report. Setting Private University Clinic, Spain, and Public University Hospital, Italy. Patient(s) A woman with a tubal heterotopic pregnancy after oocyte donation. Intervention(s) Oocyte donation and ET (Spain), laparoscopic removal of the tubal heterotopic pregnancy (Italy). Main Outcome Measure(s) Diagnosis and treatment of the heterotopic pregnancy. Result(s) Laparoscopic treatment of the heterotopic pregnancy resulting in a single ongoing intrauterine pregnancy. Conclusion(s) Cross border reproductive care is increasing in Europe. When patients go back to their respective countries of origin they may not inform their doctors about having undergone fertility treatments abroad. This can lead to a delayed diagnosis in case of complications arising after treatment or during pregnancy. It is of vital importance that clinicians are aware of this possibility to speed up the diagnosis and treatment of potentially fatal situations such as the one described in the present case report.