Between January 1984 and August 1991, 511 cases of extrauterine pregnancies were diagnosed by laparoscopy in our department. In 374 cases salpingectomy was performed: 184 by explorative laparotomy, and 190 by operative laparoscopy. Patients were scheduled for salpingectomy if one or more of the following criteria were fulfilled: (i) a ruptured tube which was surgically unsuitable for conservation; (ii) no interest in future fertility; (iii) tubes with ectopic gestation previously operated on; (iv) a previous tubal pregnancy on the same side, which was treated expectantly. Salpingectomy was performed via operative laparoscopy with bipolar diathermy forceps and laparoscopic scissors. Pregnancy rates, i.e. intra-uterine and repeat extra-uterine, were evaluated. The reproductive performance following salpingectomy did not differ significantly, whether by laparotomy or laparoscopy: the intra-uterine pregnancy rate was 78 and 64%, respectively and the repeat ectopic pregnancy rate was 12 and 6%, respectively. Salpingectomy via laparoscopy can be performed safely with a low incidence of complications, with subsequent reproductive performance comparable to laparotomy.