AIM: To compare the subsequent reproductive outcome after laparoscopic salpingostomy or salpingectomy for tubal ectopic pregnancy (EP). MATERIAL OF STUDY: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 2002 and May 2014 on 132 women admitted to Unit of Gynecology and Obstetrics of the Department of Human Pathology in Adulthood and Childhood “G. Barresi”, “Gaetano Martino” Hospital, University of Messina (Italy), with EP and who received surgical treatment, including laparoscopic salpingectomy (n=57) or salpingostomy (n=75). Main outcomes included intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), recurrent EP and persistent trophoblastic disease rates. RESULTS: The IUP rates up to 24 months after surgery were 56.1% for salpingectomy and 60% for salpingostomy. The 2-year recurrent EP rates were 5.3% for salpingectomy and 18.7% for salpingostomy. The persistent trophoblastic disease rate were 1.8% for salpingectomy and 12% for salpingostomy. DISCUSSION: Our results show that the reproductive outcomes after laparoscopic salpingectomy are similar to those observed after conservative treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In the surgical treatment of EP, the clinician should choose the best treatment in accordance with the patient, considering the severity of the disease, the clinical characteristics of the patient and her desire to preserve fertility.