A case-control method was used to examine differences in outcome between laparoscopy and laparotomy for the treatment of ectopic pregnancy. Cases and controls, 25 each, were matched by criteria selected to minimize differences in preoperative morbidity and technical difficulty. Patients treated laparoscopically had significantly shorter hospital stays (1.34 +/- 0.8 versus 3.92 +/- 1.1 days; mean +/- SD; P less than .01) and less operating time (77.5 +/- 26.1 versus 103.6 +/- 26.7 minutes; P less than .05). In addition, a laparoscopic approach resulted in a shorter convalescence (8.7 +/- 7.8 versus 25.7 +/- 16.2 days; P less than .01) and reduced postoperative analgesia requirements (0.84 +/- 2.3 versus 4.64 +/- 2.9 doses; P less than .01). We conclude that laparoscopic treatment of ectopic pregnancy is well tolerated by patients and, in comparison with laparotomy, requires fewer medical resources, thereby significantly reducing cost.