Introduction:

Ectopic pregnancy is one of the conditions that most increase maternal morbidity and mortality. The incidence varies from 1:40 to 1: 100 pregnancies. It is characterized by implantation of the embryo into the peritoneal cavity, outside the fallopian tube, the ovary and the broad ligament of the uterus.

Objective:

to familiarize Timorese general practitioners with the clinical characteristics, etiopathogenesis and diagnosis and management of this obstetric condition.

Method:

A clinical case of abdominal ectopic pregnancy was presented attended by a multidisciplinary team of Cuban professionals collaborating at the Hospital Referal Maubisse (Democratic Republic of Timor Leste). Literature on the subject was reviewed in electronic databases (SciELO, ClinicalKey, RedALyC, Scopus, PubMed, Clinical Evidence, Cochrane). A selection was made by title and summary by the three authors, in case of finding a difference it was submitted to a fourth evaluator.

Results:

the clinical examination and abdominal ultrasonography made it possible to diagnose abdominal ectopic pregnancy with dead fetus. Laparotomy was performed and a 17-week fetus was found in a state of mummification and aseptic maceration, located at the bottom of Douglas's sac. It was possible the complete extraction of the placental tissue without transoperative complications and satisfactory evolution.

Conclusions:

the clinical picture is nonspecific and although the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasound is recognized, as there are no specific signs and in the absence of characteristic ultrasound images, an exploratory laparotomy is essential.

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