TITLE:
Spontaneous Heterotopic Pregnancy: From Management to Live Birth at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the CNHU-HKM of Cotonou in 2025: A Case Report
AUTHORS:
Tchimon Yea Setchegnon Vodouhe, Mathieu Ogoudjobi, Ingrid Olowo, Barnard Acakpo, Arnette Fiogbe, Christiane Tshabu Aguemon, Angeline Tonato Bagnan, Justin Lewis Denakpo
KEYWORDS:
Heterotopic Pregnancy, Intrauterine Pregnancy, Extrauterine Pregnancy, Laparoscopy, Cotonou
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.16 No.8,
August
12,
2026
ABSTRACT: Heterotopic pregnancy is defined as the simultaneous presence of an intrauterine pregnancy and an extrauterine pregnancy, regardless of their location. It is a rare form of dizygotic twin pregnancy, and its spontaneous occurrence is exceptional. This potentially serious condition can compromise both maternal outcomes and the prognosis of the intrauterine pregnancy. We report a case of heterotopic pregnancy managed in 2025 at the University Clinic of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hubert Koutoukou Maga National University Hospital Center (CNHU-HKM) in Cotonou. The patient presented with pelvic pain persisting for 48 hours. Pelvic ultrasound suggested a heterotopic pregnancy, with a viable intrauterine gestation and a non-viable left tubal extrauterine pregnancy. The diagnosis was confirmed intraoperatively during laparoscopy, and a left salpingectomy was performed. Postoperative recovery was uneventful. The intrauterine pregnancy progressed favorably to term, resulting in a vaginal delivery of a healthy neonate with satisfactory neonatal adaptation. This case highlights the importance of systematic adnexal assessment during first-trimester ultrasound, even in the presence of a confirmed intrauterine pregnancy, to avoid missing an associated extrauterine gestation.