Unnecessary salpingectomy

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1

I recently had an ectopic pregnancy, first treated with methotrexate as I have fertility problems and did not want to lose my tube. From the ultrasound scans it was unclear where exactly the pregnancy was, but somehow I knew it wasn’t in the tube. I was in a lot of pain 10 days after the injection so was taken into surgery and ended up with a left salpingectomy. I told the surgeon before the surgery not to remove the tube unless absolutely necessary. It was a fimbrial ectopic -at the open end of the tube next to the ovary. I saw a different consultant last week and finally got to see the notes from the operation which showed nothing about a rupture. The methotrexate was working - admittedly not as fast as hoped, but the hcg was down to 2777 from 3835 so it was going in the right direction. All my pain was central and I told them that it felt like contractions. I can’t help but feel now that my tube was taken out unnecessarily. I feel so incomplete - like I’m only half a woman now, which I know sounds ridiculous.

I have a meeting on Wednesday with the surgeon who did the operation and I don’t know how I’m going to not lose my temper with him. It almost feels like tube removal is the option because it’s quicker and easier than repair - but the way I see it, if my lung was damaged wouldn’t they try to repair it rather than cut it out just because I have 2 of them?

Has anyone else had this experience? If so, what have you done?

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Dear Dubnat,

Sadly I am not medically trained so cannot give you specific advice on your situation.

I would advise writing down any questions you have for your surgeon so you get all of your questions answered, also take some paper and pen with you so you can write down anything important to you that they say so that you don’t forget to explore any important topics raised by them. Don’t feel rushed by the experience.

I completely understand you feeling angry, do you have someone to go with you? Someone supportive who if you get upset, you trust to help calm you down?

It is important that you get all of your questions answered. If you feel your questions were not answered or you wish to explore things further, I would advise getting in contact with the Patient Advice Liaison Service (PALS) within your hospital.

Sending you much love and strength,

Karen x

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