Elisa Sanna

Dr. Elisa Sanna


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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31 December 2025 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MCMassimo Criscione
Massimo Criscione
GBGiorgio Maria Baldini
Giorgio Maria Baldini
ESElisa Sanna
Elisa Sanna
LSLaura Saderi
Laura Saderi
Giovanni SotgiuGiovanni Sotgiu
Giovanni Sotgiu
Giampiero CapobiancoGiampiero Capobianco
Giampiero Capobianco
Background and Objectives: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a life-threatening medical and surgical condition. Tubal stump EPs and heterotopic pregnancies can occur after in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), even after salpingectomy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of tubal stump EPs after IVF-ET in patients with prior salpingectomy or adnexectomy. We also aim to evaluate the intrauterine pregnancy (IUP) outcome in cases of heterotopic pregnancy in this population. Materials and Methods: This systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023352959) followed PRISMA guidelines. A literature search of MEDLINE®, Scopus, Web of Science, and clinicaltrials.gov was conducted on 30 April 2024. We included studies on tubal stump EP after IVF-ET in patients with previous salpingectomy or adnexectomy and created a qualitative summary. Results: We included 40 studies reporting on 57 patients (58 EP episodes). Most patients (69.0%) had prior bilateral salpingectomy. Tubal rupture occurred in 69.6% of cases, with 69.0% of these cases reporting hemoperitoneum. Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (71.7%). Heterotopic pregnancy occurred in 60.0% of cases (82.7% singletons). The IUP outcome was delivery in 81.9% of cases, with 95.5% of singletons delivering at term, compared with 40.0% of twins. The surgical approach (laparoscopy vs. laparotomy) did not change the IUP outcome. Tubal stump excision (74.1%) was the most common treatment. Overall, the certainty of the evidence was judged as moderate to very low according to the GRADE-CERQual approach, mainly due to small sample sizes, observational designs, and heterogeneity among studies. Conclusions: This review, the first on this topic, provides key data for counselling patients with a tubal stump heterotopic pregnancy. Despite its rarity, close follow-up until 8–10 weeks is recommended for IVF-ET patients with positive β-hCG, monitoring for abdominal pain. Successful management (expectant, medical, or surgical) should be guided by β-hCG levels and ultrasound findings (e.g., absence of heartbeat). Medical treatment shows encouraging obstetric outcomes and warrants further research.